GE CEO, N.Y. Governor to Make Announcement Tomorrow

New York Gov. David Patterson and General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt will announce an alliance that will lead to green jobs and technological development in upstate New York tomorrow, according to GE. The two will make their announcement at 10:00 a.m. ET.

I don't have any more information than that at the moment, but, let's face it, those are big names so you will want to know what is going on. For the past several years, New York has tried to woo high-tech companies from California, Texas and Massachusetts. Former Gov. George Pataki set up a number of tax, credit and land development programs to attract chip makers in the first part of the decade. The state only attracted a few chip makers, although U.S. manufacturers gave the overall shape of the program high marks. Several state universities also set up research centers that collaborated with the likes of Dell and others. Thus, this might involve GE setting up a material science laboratory or wind research center that will spill into manufacturing.

Later this week Patterson will also speak at the American Solar Energy Society's annual conference, taking place in Buffalo. Buffalo? Why not. Germany is still one of the largest solar markets in the world and Ontario right next door has been investing heavily into solar and other renewable technologies. PV panels work well in snow because of the reflected light and cool temperatures.