I caught up with Amy Butler while she was on her way to the annual meeting of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association. She was in her car and I was at my desk taking notes. Ever since I first met Amy, it has been my impression that she is on the front line of the ‘new energy economy’. If anyone knows who the players are …it must be Amy.
Let me introduce you. Amy Butler is the Director of “The Bureau of Energy Systems”. This is a State of Michigan department, a division of DELEG. A summary of her official responsibilities include managing alternative and renewable energy programs and policies, energy efficiency programs, and “greening Michigan efforts” for a more sustainable economy. If this isn’t enough, she also serves as the Economic Recovery Coordinator for Energy for DELEG.
So as not to waste her time (after all she is driving) I ask only one question. “Amy, let’s cut to the chase. Everyone wants to know where the ‘new economy’ jobs are starting to show up? Are there any particular industries we should watch for?” Amy directed the course of our conversation to ‘advanced lighting’ and referred me to a few of the twenty-some Michigan companies that comprise the core of a new industry. “We even have a new state trade association, The Michigan Solid State Lighting Association”, Amy announces proudly, as evidence of progress.
The ‘lighting’ industry landscape is about to brighten very dramatically. Everything from key-chain flashlights and back-lit signs to household, stadium, and parking lighting will evolve into SSL (solid sate lighting) or as you are already familiar LED …Light Emitting Diode.
Following Amy’s leads, I did several interviews with industry leaders to get their perspective and spent a few days tracking down the abundant, information rich, web-sites (see below) representing the Michigan entrepreneurs forming this new industry.