Governor Addresses ‘Clean Jobs’ In Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS -Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called on the Legislature today to pass his California Jobs Initiative, which seeks to create jobs and help a Palm Springs wind farm by waiving sales tax for purchaser of green tech manufacturing equipment.

“We will ask them once again to act quickly to come together, Democrats and Republicans, and sit to down with us. Let’s put out a job creation package so we can put people to work,” Schwarzenegger said.

The governor was joined by Palm Springs city officials, California Secretary of Labor Vicky Bradshaw and Assemblyman Manuel Perez, D-Indio, at Wintec Energy’s Carver Field.

The governor said he wants to focus on creating green jobs to help make California the leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“The only way to reach this goal is by having more wind, more solar energy, more geothermal, more biomass, more fuel cells and so on,” the governor said.

Motioning to the windmills behind him, Schwarzenegger said his bill would benefit companies like Wintec Energy, which is expanding its operations and adding 60 positions.

The bill includes a sales tax exemption on the purchase of green tech manufacturing equipment. The tax credit is part of a package of job creation initiatives that the governor announced in January.

Other measures include hiring incentives for employers, a $10,000 tax credit for home buyers and streamlining the permitting process for construction projects.

Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet said his city represents the future of innovation in creating clean jobs and green technology.

The mayor said the city is zoned for industrial manufacturing, and there is no reason why businesses such as Wintec should not purchase equipment made in the Coachella Valley.

“This sales tax credit will go a long way to ensuring that happens right here in the state of California,” Pougnet said.

He also touted Palm Springs’ recent designation as an “innovation hub,” which will allow the city to receive federal and state funding to promote collaborations between cities, universities and private industry to foster job creation in emerging technologies.

Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City were designated as an iHub in January.

The city plans to partner with UC Riverside, Cal State San Bernardino and College of the Desert to entice local businesses to collaborate on emerging-technology projects and research.

The Coachella Valley is rich in renewable resources, including wind, solar and geothermal energy.