Markey says stimulus will create more tech jobs

Asked about grants that will spur growth in his district, Markey immediately cited a $250 million outlay for A123 Systems, a Watertown-based company that makes energy efficient batteries.

He said that while part of the grant will fund operations at a factory in Michigan, "there will be [new] employees in Watertown as well."

Markey also mentioned a grant for 1366 Technologies, Inc., a Lexington-based company specializing in solar electricity. Markey said the grant will spur "explosive" job growth at the company, expanding a staff of dozens to hundreds, possibly even 1,000.

"I'm very confident that people will ultimately see the impact of [the stimulus]," he said.

Markey added that he was surprised to read a recent Globe article detailing inaccurate claims of stimulus-driven growth made by area colleges, non-profits, and other entities. Some of the groups blamed the government's complicated reporting system for their errors.

"Sure, there were many people who were confused," Markey said. "That's understandable."

Markey spoke with the Globe on Thursday at Malden Catholic High School, his alma mater.

He attended a ceremony marking a $146,000 rebate that the school is receiving from National Grid for installing energy-efficient lighting throughout the building, a move that will save the school $30,000 annually, the utility said in a statement.

At the event, Markey spoke to about 20 boys in an accelerated English Literature class, warning that the country - and the entire planet - faces a looming crisis if it continues to rely on oil and coal to meet most energy needs.

"There are no emergency rooms for planets," he said.