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Immelt advises American companies to go green now
Published March 13, 2008 - BizTimes Daily
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American companies such as manufacturers, distributors and builders that do not embrace and invest in green Technologies now will soon be at a competitive disadvantage, according to Jeffrey Immelt, chief executive officer and chairman of General Electric Co.
Immelt joined several other top corporate executives and venture capitalists at The Wall Street Journal's Eco:nomics Conference in Santa Barbara, Calif., this week.
Immelt issued a warning to other CEOs about the impending U.S. government capping of carbon emissions: "The day it becomes law, you're five years late."
In an interview at MarketWatch.com during the conference, Immelt pointed out that American manufacturers of the greenest technologies, such as the cleanest-burning locomotives, jet engines and wind turbines, can't keep up with the demands for their products overseas.
"We just see that the government is moving in this way … We'd rather get ahead of it than have it be thrust on us in a very negative way for our companies and the economy," said Immelt, who formerly oversaw GE Healthcare in Waukesha. "I think this could be one of the great export industries of our lifetime."
Meanwhile, the economics of the environment also is the focus of the Wisconsin Renewable Energy Summit, which is addressing "Green Jobs - Growing Wisconsin's Economy." The event is taking place through Friday at the Midwest Airlines Center.
A discussion on "Green Collar Jobs & Economic Development" tonight will be moderated by Jeff Anthony of the American Wind Energy Association.
Southeastern Wisconsin businesses will showcase their green technologies, products and services at the Green Pavilion of the Small Business Times BizTech Expo. Readers of the BizTimes Daily can register online for free to attend the BizTech Expo.
