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During United States Energy Secretary Steven Chu's recent visit to Charlotte, Zoë Gamble Hanes, an attorney in the firm's Renewable Energy Law practice, attended an invitation-only meeting held on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at the manufacturing plant of battery-component maker Celgard, LLC. Zoë had an opportunity to speak with Secretary Chu following a roundtable discussion in which Secretary Chu spoke with a small group on several topics, including ways to make Charlotte an energy capital. Zoë also was present for the historic announcement made by Secretary Chu of a $49 million federal grant to be given to Celgard. The grant is part of a White House stimulus plan to spark a new industry for next-generation batteries. Celgard's grant will create 200 jobs over the next three years.