LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced today the public launch of CleanTech Los Angeles, a collaborative effort by prominent leaders from the City's premier academic institutions, business community and local government. This partnership, the first of its kind, aims to establish Los Angeles as a global capital of clean technology by leveraging the City's strongest assets.

"Today, the City is standing with the world-class academic institutions of Los Angeles and our dynamic business community to stake a claim as a global leader in the clean and green technologies that will drive the 21st century economy," Mayor Villaraigosa said. "From R&D to manufacturing to design, this partnership taps into the creative assets and innovative spirit of our City to foster new industry and spur job growth."

Signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding are Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, California Institute of Technology President Jean-Lou Chameau, University of California Los Angeles Chancellor Gene Block, University of Southern California President Steven Sample, Los Angeles County Economic Development President Bill Allen, Los Angeles Business Council President Mary Leslie, and Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce President Gary Toebben.

"As an institution committed to research and public service, UCLA is thrilled to play an integral role in building the green economy in Los Angeles," Chancellor Block said. "We have a multitude of faculty who are national and international leaders in research involving solar panels, hydrogen fuel cells, nanotechnology and many other fields critical to the development of the clean technology business sector. Our partnership with the City of Los Angeles, USC and CalTech - with combined intellectual capital unmatched by any other region - represents a significant step in bolstering the region's long-term economic health while making Los Angeles the capital of the green economy."

"I've often said that Los Angeles may have the best collection of intellectual talent of any county in the nation. I believe it's important to invest our intellectual capital in programs that enhance the quality of life for all of our citizens" said President Sample. "USC is delighted to partner with our colleagues in higher education, and with our friends from the public sector and from private business, to help make Los Angeles the greenest city in America."

"Broader recognition of Los Angeles as a global regional center of science and engineering research and clean technology development bodes well for its economic competitiveness in a rapidly changing world," added Dr. Jean-Lou Chameau, President of the California Institute of Technology.

"The Los Angeles Business Council believes that attracting green-tech companies will be a prime economic driver for the region," said Los Angeles Business Council President Mary Leslie. "We were proud to launch the website CleanTechLA.org at our Sustainability Summit last year and look forward to continuing our partnership with the consortium to build a vibrant green economy in Los Angeles."

"Los Angeles is leading the world with its commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and this collaboration will undoubtedly stimulate innovation in our region and provide opportunities to create and attract clean tech companies who wish to capitalize on the region's enormous public demand for their innovative solutions," said Bill Allen, CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.

"Clean technology is one of the bright spots in our future economy," said Gary Toebben, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. "The L.A. Area Chamber is pleased to work with the City of Los Angeles and other partners to help make Southern California the hub of the emerging clean tech sector and the jobs and economic growth associated with it."

The mission of CleanTech Los Angeles is to establish the Los Angeles region as a global leader in research, commercialization, production, and deployment of clean technologies as well as to promote the development of capital, talent, and workforce to drive these new technologies.

CleanTech LA will focus on four key areas: Testing, R&D, and Commercialization; Advocacy for Funds; Education and Outreach; and Economic Development Strategy. The partnership is currently working together on initiatives such as www.cleantechla.org, the California Climate Change Institute, the CleanTech Manufacturing Center, and the
Clean Technology Research Center. Planned future programs include the CleanTech Corridor, advocacy for federal and state funding, and greater collaborations and partnerships.

PARTNERS:

• City of Los Angeles
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of Southern California
• California Institute of Technology
• Los Angeles Business Council
• Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
• Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

For more information visit www.CleantechLA.org.

Published: Wednesday, April 15, 2009

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