Two new reports highlight how states can begin to take control of their own energy futures, regardless of how the federal government may or may not take the lead on developing renewable energy.
The Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT) released "Harvesting California’s Renewable Energy Resources: A Green Jobs Business Plan," authored by renewable energy expert Pet er Asmus.
The report surveys all major studies to date on renewable energy’s potential for job creation in California. It concludes that if California obtained one third of its electric power from renewable sources by 2020, as much as $60 billion would be pumped into the state economy and state manufacturing employment could increase by some 200,000 renewable energy jobs.
Under every methodology examined, development of the state’s abundant renewable energy resources–solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass–would create more than six times as many jobs as continued reliance on fossil fuels like coal and natural gas.
More importantly, these jobs cannot be shipped overseas because the renewable energy resources are located in California, and the work of harvesting them must take place within the state’s borders.
The report will be available on CEERT’s website.
Idaho Clean Energy
A separate report states that leaders in Idaho can take steps to shield Idaho families, farms and businesses from increasingly volatile global energy markets, by utilizing its wealth of renewable resources and investing in energy efficiency.
"Securing Idaho’s Energy Future: The Role of Energy Efficiency and Natural Resources" suggests Idaho can create thousands of jobs while helping to control energy costs by developing renewable and energy efficiency resources.
"Idaho’s heavy reliance on fossil fuel imports is a growing source of economic vulnerability,” said P.S. Reilly, who is the author of the report and the president of, Athena Institute, an independent research firm.
“In contrast, Idaho is rich in renewable energy and efficiency opportunities. This report lays out steps Idaho leaders can take to leverage these resources and protect Idaho’s economy," Reilly said.
Idaho’s families, farms and businesses spend over $3.7 billion a year for energy, 80% of which is produced elsewhere. Changing market conditions indicate the state cannot count on a reliable supply of cheap and plentiful imports into the future.
According to the report, Idaho can create thousands of high-wage clean tech jobs by capitalizing on renewable energy resources–including wind, geothermal, solar, and biomass–and upgrading the efficiency of buildings, equipment, and other facilities.
Idaho can reasonably increase in-state energy sources from just 20% today to 50% by 2025–in ways that benefit the economy — by aggressively developing renewable and efficiency resources, the report says.
“Developing renewables within the state helps protect Idaho’s economy from rising energy costs and keep more dollars circulating in the local economy,” said Idaho Senator Curt McKenzie, Co-chair of the Idaho Interim Legislative Committee for Energy, Environment and Technology. “This report is a valuable resource in informing and guiding policymakers and citizens to build a more secure energy future.” T
he study builds on findings of the 2007 Idaho Energy Plan and was commissioned by Climate Solutions, a private, non-profit organization. The report is available at: www.harvestcleanenergy.org.
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