Ark. Energy Companies Make Case For Climate Bill

CHUCK BARTELS

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — An industry group said Monday that alternative energy companies need Congress to pass the climate bill so they will be assured of a long-term market, one that will ultimately lower energy costs and employ 25,000 in Arkansas by 2020.

The bill, which is before the Senate, includes a cap-and-trade system that would require factories, refineries and power generation plants to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other climate-changing pollution. Companies would be able to purchase emission allowances to limit reductions.

Ralf Sigrist, president and chief executive of Nordex USA, which is building a $40 million windmill factory in Jonesboro, said Monday that wind energy companies won't replace other power generation sources already operating, but wind is an affordable option in the nation's energy portfolio.

"This is now a viable, competitive alternative," said Sigrist, whose company expects to employ 700 people within four years.

Sigrist spoke in a conference call set up by the group Arkansas Business Leaders for a Clean Energy Economy, which touted a study that concludes passage of the bill would boost the economy nationally and in Arkansas.