Advanced Energy Group Partners With National Organization
by March 12, 2012 11:43 am 107 views
A group of Arkansas companies advocating for expansion of the state’s energy and manufacturing workforce has aligned with a national group promoting similar innovation.
The Arkansas Advanced Energy Association (AAEA) is partnering as a new state chapter with Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), a national business organization promoting U.S. companies as global suppliers of innovative energy technologies and solutions. The two groups announced their alliance at a luncheon on Monday (March 12) at the Capitol Hotel in Little Rock.
“The advanced energy sector represents a significant growth opportunity for Arkansas’ economy,” said Gary McChesney, AAEA chairman and FutureFuel Chemical Company chief technology officer. “The formation of AAEA and our partnership with Advanced Energy Economy ensures the investments our member companies made in growing the market, creating jobs and advancing energy independence will continue to thrive here in Arkansas and across the country.”
“Advanced Energy Economy is a national platform for business leadership, but chapters and affiliates are the heart of AEE, working at the state level to improve the business climate for advanced energy companies,” said Graham Richard, CEO of Advanced Energy Economy. “AAEA is a valuable addition to our growing national network of business organizations.”
According to AAEA, there are more than 80 companies in Arkansas engaged in advanced energy production or services, such as wind power manufacturing, biofuel development, and solar energy.
The AAEA, which formally launched in November 2011, includes Nordex USA, FutureFuel Chemical Company, Clean Line Energy, BioEnergy Systems, and NextGen Illumination.