Clean Tech: Tennessee

Recently read "The Top 10 U.S. States for CleanTech in 2009" by Shawn Lesser of Sustainable World Capital (see article: http://cleantech.com/news/4845/top-10-us-states-cleantech-2009). Mr. Lesser has ranked the state of Tennessee number 6 among 10 states that are "bringing together all the parts of the economy with natural resources and manufacturing know-how." This is what Mr. Lesser has written to justify his ranking:

"Tennessee is the billion dollar baby, thanks to strong political foresight of Gov. Phil Bredesen. That has helped the Volunteer State land two of the biggest cleantech deals in the last several years: Hemlock Semiconductor’s announced plans for a $1.2 billion polysilicon plant and German chemical firm Wacker Chemie’s announced plans for a $1 billion polysilicon factory in Tennessee (see Cleantech industry in the U.S. South emerging from stealth)."

If you are curious to know what the other 9 states are without reading the article:

1. California
2. Texas
3. Massachusetts
4. Colorado
5. New Jersey
6. Tennessee
7. Pennsylvania
8. New York
9. Ohio
10. Oregon

I am probably revealing some of my ignorance in the cleantech area, but I honestly did not expect Tennessee, or Texas for that matter, to be among the leaders in clean tech. I am learning quickly that environmentally friendly initiatives are not just reserved for left-leaning states. This is further evidence that it is not just the Democrats who believe that clean tech is a wise business choice.

Side note: I am visiting my parents here in Tennessee and can hear the wind blowing outside -- it sounds like we are on top of Mt. Everest the gusts are so strong. Maybe time to think about getting off the grid with wind power :-).