Micron signals move to green technology

[IDemo]

The company wants state help to break away from the fickle memory chip market and reverse its recent troubles.

BY ROCKY BARKER - [e-mail]
Published: 03/06/09

Micron Technology hopes to convert its idle buildings in Boise and Nampa to manufacture solar panels and high efficiency lighting components - and is asking for $20 million to $100 million in stimulus funds to make it happen.

"With the capital to invest in these new operations, Micron could establish Idaho as a world leader in the development and manufacturing of solar modules and/or LED lighting," said Mark Durcan, Micron's chief operating officer, in a letter accompanying the proposal.

Micron CEO Steve Appleton and other tech leaders met in January with President Barack Obama as he was pitching his more than $800 billion stimulus plan to Congress. Appleton endorsed the plan soon after.

And he isn't the only person looking at the potential of solar energy in Idaho. Paul Kjellander, director of the Idaho Office of Energy Resources, proposed spending stimulus funds to install solar panels on the roofs of Idaho schools.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/newsupdates/story/689050.html

[w4rma]

1. Awesome! Micron can pull it off! (nt)