Congresswoman Matsui Visits Sacramento-based Manufacturing Company to Highlight Example of Local Job Creation in Clean Energy Sector

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 13, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
o: (916) 498-5600/ c: (202) 302-3249

Congresswoman Matsui Visits Sacramento-based Manufacturing Company to Highlight Example of Local Job Creation in Clean Energy Sector

CA Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) joined Sunoptics CEO Jim Blomberg to highlight the importance of American-made technology and products and talk about the future of clean tech manufacturing in Sacramento. The Congresswoman and Mr. Blomberg discussed both the local and federal roles in supporting clean energy technology and gave specific examples of ways in which Sunoptics plans to increase manufacturing and clean energy jobs in the Sacramento region. Sunoptics also announced that, as a result of their growth over the last two years, they have now hired 25 new employees to work here locally, and will continue to expand their operation both domestically and on a global scale.

It is essential to our economy, our environment, and our national security that the federal government support the emerging clean technology industry and not allow for America to be left behind, Congresswoman Matsui said. I am committed to helping to ensure that clean tech companies in Sacramento and across the country have the necessary assistance to expand and succeed. Sunoptics is an example of how local companies are helping to pave the way for a stable and reenergized economy that is meeting the demands of the 21st century.

Sacramento-based Sunopticshas achieved 49 percent year-to-date growth and is helping to diversify our regional economy by increasing the manufacturing of clean energy products right here in Sacramento. Their ability to make high performance daylighting systems that amplify sunlight to replace 70-80 percent of electrically generated light for building interiors has resulted in continued growth over the past two years. Sunoptics is also working on a new product called Cool Lumens, which is an LED light that interplays with Sunoptics prismatic skylights and may be the most energy efficient lighting fixture in the world when introduced on the market.

Congresswoman Matsui is the author of legislation that will bolster America's clean technology sector by supporting small and medium-sized businesses who are interested in expanding their manufacturing capabilities on American soil and exporting their products or technology abroad. The Matsui legislationwas recently passed by the House of Representatives, and is part of a larger Make it in America manufacturing strategy to create American jobs and strengthen our economy. This legislation will directly benefit American companies like Sunoptics, whose international exports have grown over the last two years by more than 150% to approximately $5 million in 2010, and are projected to double in 2011.

Sunoptics continues to lead the way in advance daylighting solutions and through our continued research and development are developing advanced hybrid total lighting systems that will revolutionize the lighting industry globally, said Jim Blomberg, CEO of Sunoptics. As our business continues its growth internationally, we applaud Congresswoman Matsui's leadership and efforts in Congress in spearheading the recently approved Clean Energy Manufacturing and Export Assistance legislation that will help American companies such as ours continue our expansion efforts into international markets and secure our country's place as the leader in clean tech solutions for the world.

Currently, the U.S. clean tech industry is lagging behind many of its international competitors, particularly in exports abroad. According to a recent U.S. Senate Report, the U.S. clean technology industry exported about $7.7 billion in products and services between 2004 and 2008, compared to China's $22.7 billion and Germany's $19.6 billion. The Department of Energy has found that the increase in exports of U.S. green technology could reach $40 billion per year and could create more than 750,000 jobs by 2020.

Clean technology is a growing sector of the global manufacturing base, said Congresswoman Matsui, And as the world's population grows, and countries become more accountable for the pollution and carbon their citizens create, the need for clean alternatives will continue to increase. Now is the time we must position ourselves to be ready for the demand, and Sunoptics is a perfect example of how local manufacturers can compete in both domestic and global markets.

For more information about Congresswoman Matsui's work on supporting the local clean energy sector, please visit www.matsui.house.gov/cleanenergy

For more information about the Make it in America agenda please visit www.matsui.house.gov/makeitinamerica