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Sunday, August 03, 2008

Washington, D.C., may be thinking a little greener after a visit from a North Bend business owner earlier this month.

Randy Rema, president of Reese Electric Inc., and member of the National Electrical Contractors Association, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business on how tax incentives that encourage development in green building technologies create jobs and stimulate a lagging construction market.

“It was incredible,” Rema said. “They were looking for a small business owner that is getting into that market. Through my involvement with NECA, I fit the bill.”

Rema was born and raised in Myrtle Point and now lives in North Bend with his wife, Becky, and their daughter, Rachel, 15. The three of them traveled to the capital together. The Contractors Association footed the bill for Randy and Becky. The Remas, wanting to make it a family vacation as well, paid for their daughter to go.

Rema said it was both an important, and enjoyable trip. They flew in on a Tuesday and left Saturday, so the family had a few days to do some sightseeing.

“I testified on Thursday, July 10, but the day before that I went around with NECA. We visited (Sen.) Ron Wyden’s office and stressed how important it is that (green technology) gets done,” Rema said.

Rema was invited to speak on the  association’s behalf at the committee hearing on “The Role of Green Technologies in Spurring Economic Growth.” Rema answered the committee’s questions on how he expects electrical construction projects in alternative and renewable energies to increase his company’s bottom line. He also talked about his investment in solar power.

“This year we have contracts worth $2 million for solar panel installations, which represents almost 25 percent of our total business,” Rema reported to the committee. “For 2009, I can project an additional $2 million worth of opportunities for those seeking building retrofit and other investment in green energy technologies.”

For Rema’s business, that amounted to hiring at least eight new electricians, plus support staff, with the possibility of even greater employment opportunities at competitive wages.

Rema doesn’t just help his customers achieve their green building goals — he made his own investment in green technology.

“Just last year, I invested in my company’s infrastructure and retrofitted our roofing system with a $212,000 solar panel unit,” he said. “I had projected a 20-year payback on the system, but with increasing energy costs and the potential to sell off extra power through potential utility buyback programs, I believe my investment will exceed my earlier predictions.”

Rema concluded his speech by urging Congress to support green technologies. If tax incentives go away, so will the green business for electrical contractors, Rema told them.

“Only by harnessing the power of technologies and the potential job growth they bring, are we able to expand and grow our economy,” he said. “The future is green, and for my business that means gold.”

Originally posted at www.theworldlink.com
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