RALEIGH – Jennifer Mundt has been appointed to a newly created role at the North Carolina Department of Commerce by Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders.

Jennifer Mundt. (LinkedIn profile image.)

 

Mundt, who according to a statement sent to WRAL TechWire by the Department of Commerce on Wednesday started in the role last week, is now the Assistant Secretary for Clean Energy Economic Development and will “guide North Carolina’s efforts to secure economic development and workforce opportunities” in the clean energy sector.

“North Carolina has always embraced and supported the industries of the future, and clean energy offers great opportunities in the years ahead,” said Secretary Sanders in a statement.  “I welcome Jennifer to the Commerce team and look forward to working with her as we advance Governor Roy Cooper’s commitment to address climate change and transition to a clean energy economy.”

The state ranked first in the nation for its rural clean energy jobs in an April 2021 report, and third in the nation for solar.

In 2018, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 80.

 

North Carolina ranks 1st in nation for rural clean energy jobs, #9 overall

 

According to the Department of Commerce, the state how now developed its Clean Energy Plan and pursued workforce development and economic development initiatives to support the industry.  In December, Toyota announced it would build a manufacturing plant for electric vehicle batteries in the state, investing $1.29 billion.

According to the Department of Commerce, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order 218 last year, which committed the state to offshore wind power and directed actions for clean energy economic development.  That included the creation of the new role at the Commerce Department, in which Mundt has now started.

The focus for the Assistant Secretary will involve operationalizing the recommendations articulated in the Commerce Department’s 2021 report, Building NC’s Offshore Wind Supply Chain, the statement noted.

“As innovations in clean energy technologies rapidly become commercialized, our state is well positioned to enjoy the benefits this industry will bring us, both in terms of a stronger economy and a healthier environment,” said Mundt in the statement.  “I look forward to collaborating with the many people and organizations across the state and around the world that will open the door to North Carolina’s clean energy future.”

The last clean energy boom turned to bust. Will this time be any different?