Hey BP..Keep the Maryland Solar Plant Open Too While You Clean Up The Gulf. Go Beyond Petroleum and Build in the USA
While looking up numbers to the collosal mess in the Gulf on the BP website, I came across the most stunning thing. Again, another company losing manufacturing jobs. More importantly these jobs are manufacturing jobs in America. That was why I had to write up the story that BP Solar recently announced it is going to shut down its Maryland manufacturing facility in a move to lower costs. Sadly, the Maryland Solar Plant is now at risk of closure, which affects local employment and solar progress.
Not good since I thought President Obama was trying to give billions of dollars in tax payer dollars to KEEP manufacturing jobs in the United States. Right?
The worst part is that it is either under the nose of the White House focusing so much time on the oil spill in the Gulf. The loss of the Maryland Solar Plant could go unnoticed during these crises.
According to a release from BP Solar
“The company has ceased silicon casting, wafering, and cell manufacturing at its Frederick, Maryland facility. Approximately 320 great paying positions will be eliminated out of 430 positions at the Frederick location. BP Solar will maintain its U.S. presence in sales and marketing, research and technology, project development, as well as key business support activities.”
Building BP Solar in the USA
To that I ask, what about building stuff in the USA? Are we that cost noncompetitive as a country that we can’t keep the jobs here vs. China?
BP Solar announced in March that it is going to shut down its’ Maryland facility so it can keep costs down. According to BP Solar, “The company has ceased silicon casting, wafering, and cell manufacturing at its Frederick, MD facility. Approximately 320 great paying positions will be eliminated out of 430 positions at the Frederick location. BP Solar will maintain its US presence in sales and marketing, research and technology, project development, as well as key business support activities.” In short, the Maryland Solar Plant faces an uncertain future.
“This was a difficult decision and we deeply regret the impact it will have on our employees and the community. We have a long history in Frederick and I am thankful for the support of all our colleagues, the community and local, state and federal officials,” said Reyad Fezzani, CEO of BP Solar.
All fired employees will only get full pay and benefits for 3 months with a severance package, job placement assistance and transitional resources. Furthermore, the Maryland Solar Plant closure impacts families and the regional economy.
BP Solar Prices Declined
“Solar prices declined between 40 and 50 percent since the onset of the financial and economic crisis, compressing industry margins and driving solar power towards grid competitive pricing,” Fezzani said. “By shifting our supply to a high quality, low cost supply base to serve both distribution customers and large scale projects, we have strengthened our position as a provider of competitive solar solutions with our offer of the highest lifetime value.”
What does this mean people? It means they are moving to China to build and the United States just lost more manufacturing jobs. I thought President Obama was for manufacturing the solar panels in the USA? Guess not..
Gotta G.E.T. that new oil. That Green Earth Technologies Oil!!
Oceana to Use ROVs To Help Everyone Know What’s Up in The Gulf Coast.
