While Obama has been criticized by Republicans over federal subsidies for renewable energy, Sutley said Navistar’s facility is the type of business the administration wants “to see replicated across the country.’’ The company has received $300,000 in federal stimulus funds through the S.C. Energy Office.
Navistar’s Pure Power plant manufactures high-efficiency fuel injectors and emission controls for large trucks. Diesel-powered trucks are historically among the nation’s leading sources of air pollution from vehicles. Obama has overseen tougher rules on air pollution since taking office.
The Blythewood plant was in danger of closing several years ago, but under new ownership, has rebounded. Its total employment has risen from less than 200 workers several years ago to more than 400 today.
Sutley’s visit to South Carolina also was to include stops Monday at a Calhoun County contractor’s home and at Claflin University’s biofuel research initiative, which looks at alternate forms of energy.
