The City of Charleston's Green Committee is meeting up to talk about the future of wind power in the state, and what it might mean for local jobs.

From a press release:
South Carolina has enough offshore wind power resources to power the state two times over, according to Dr. Nicholas Rigas. With the cost of energy on the rise, it is imperative to look towards alternative resources. The Charleston Green Committee will host Nick Rigas, the Vice President of Project Development Eco Energy, as the featured speaker on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 at 8 AM. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the John Wesley United Methodist Church, 626 Savannah Highway. Nick Rigas is a former adjunct professor at Clemson University and the former Director of Renewable Energy, Clemson University Restoration Institute.

Dr. Rigas will speak about the potential for wind-generated electricity and the development of a manufacturing hub for wind power components in Charleston. According to the Department of Energy, manufacturing wind turbines in South Carolina could result in 10,000 to 20,000 new manufacturing jobs.

Rigas conducted a recent study of the potential for near and off shore wind off South Carolina’s coast. He concluded that the Charleston area exhibits many of the desirable characteristics necessary for a successful wind manufacture and distribution center.

The meeting is Tuesday, December 9, at 8 a.m. at the John Wesley United Methodist Church at 626 Savannah Highway.