Mircon, based in Boise, Idaho, is asking for $20 to $100 million of the more than $1 billion of stimulus money the Gem State will be receiving. The company is proposing to start manufacturing solar panels and high efficiency lighting components at it's now idle factories in Nampa and Boise, employing hundreds of people.
Dan Francisco, a spokesperson of Micron explained that Micron believes it's uniquely positioned to use its expertise in semiconductor manufacturing industry to help dramatically lower costs for development of these technologies. Plus its research and development team is already familiar with this type of technology. Francisco indicated that if granted stimulus funding, Micron could act swiftly on the solar and LED projects with the potential of solar lines being production ready in micron facilities by the end of this calendar year.
The LED lighting would be production ready in 2010. But, with hundreds of other proposals from both public and private interests, Micron has a lot of competition for the cash. The Governor's Executive Stimulus Committee would begin sorting through all the applications. Many people already have a strong opinion about it. They'd like to see Micron given the opportunity to rebound from it's recent slump.
"Well I think solar energy would be great. We have a lot of that in Idaho, a lot of solar. We have a lot of wind, so alternative types of energy are always good," said Rep. Jim Patrick.
Once the stimulus committee reaches a decision, Otter will review their findings and present an updated budget to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee. Micron says if it is granted a chunk of the money, it could potentially establish Idaho as a hub of manufacturing for green solar and LED technology.
