green jobs

Last week, the Senate unfortunately failed to act on Senate Bill 3663 – a comprehensive energy reform bill before the August recess. In light of this disappointing delay, it is now more necessary than ever to focus our efforts to develop, and successfully implement, clean energy legislation at the state level.

While some question the value of investments in a green-collar industry, many law makers, as well as individuals and companies, are pushing for stronger development of this sector.

The Silicon Valley Leadership Group and Google co-hosted a morning program this week entitled “Electric Bills and Oil Spills-Will California Continue to Be a Clean Energy Leader?” With more than 400 people in attendance, the question certainly seemed to be a timely and important one.

Recently Applied Materials hosted seven members of the New Democrat Coalition to discuss key issues affecting the development of clean energy technology in the U.S. The New Democrat Coalition (called the “New Dems” for short) is a group of seventy House of Representatives Democrats with a focus on pro-innovation and pro-growth policy objectives. The group met with Applied Materials Chairman and CEO, Mike Splinter for a roundtable meeting to discuss the current state of the solar industry, policy recommendations for improving clean-tech manufacturing and research and development in the U.S. and the effects of U.S. tax policy on the high-tech industry’s development.

At the White House this morning, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke made a compelling case for America’s next great industry – the renewable energy industry. Speaking at the Clean Energy Economy Forum, Secretary Locke told an audience of top administration and business leaders that clean energy is key to creating “the greatest economic opportunity of the 21st century.” We couldn’t agree more.

Today Applied Materials’ CEO Mike Splinter took part in a well-known global thought-leader forum: The Aspen Ideas Festival. Dedicated to the notion that bringing the major policy, business and social leaders of the world together can lead to more meaningful discussion and action, Applied is proud to be able to take part in such a prestigious event.

Specifically, we’re excited to connect with people who, just like us, want to create a cleaner, brighter future for everyone.