A recent study found that the clean energy industry is the fastest-growing sector in Massachusetts, easily beating out behemoths like financial services, healthcare, and communications.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Census was published by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, a quasi-public agency that runs a renewable energy trust fund of green power projects. The study found that clean energy industry had a 26 percent increase in jobs and now accounts for more than 14,000 jobs in the state. Those jobs are expected to grow three times faster than any other major industry, adding about 3,000 jobs in 2007. The next biggest increase was in the scientific, technical, and management services sector with an increase of 5.4 percent.

Three hundred and two companies, government agencies, and university research centers responded to the survey. Those in the renewable energy category said they will increase staff by an average of 30 percent in the next 12 months, while the energy efficiency sector will add an average of 25 percent more employees.

High fossil fuels costs and venture capital funding are contributing to the strong clean energy performance, as well as politicians and a public wanting action on global warming emissions.

However, the report also points out that the industry is still very young: of the 255 companies surveyed, 103 had annual revenues of less than $1 million. Most companies focus on selling their products to other companies within New England to speed up sales cycles. But this may result in limited growth if companies are passing up opportunities in faster growing and larger markets.

Governor Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, and House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi agreed last month that by 2010, Massachusetts should offset all of its growth in electricity demand with increased efficiency.

The survey defined “renewable energy” as including solar power, biofuels, wind power, wave systems, solar-assisted fuel cells, and all fuel cell companies, although the study recognizes that fuel cell production may be powered by fossil fuels.

Business Journals
Climate Ark
Massachusetts Clean Energy Census

When the National Association of Governors met last weekend in Traverse City, MI, global warming policy was on the agenda. In the absence of a federal commitment to renewable energy or cutting global warming emissions, they stressed the importance of states to keep leading the way.

The Chairman of the governors association, Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), began his one-year term this week. He noted that the Republican Party has some “catching up to do” on global warming policy, although he pointed out that some of the most outspoken governors on the issue are Republicans, like Governor Schwarzenegger of California and Governor Crist of Florida. Pawlenty told the Associated Press that states should redouble their efforts to limit climate change emissions and develop renewable sources of energy: "The false premise of some of the critics is that you’ll wreck the economy. I suggest if you do this correctly, it will be a boost to the economy."

Several governors pointed out that the federal government will eventually follow if enough states take the lead and prove the clean energy technologies increase energy security, create jobs, and slow global warming. Governor Ed Rendell (D-PA) explained “With the states taking action, even if you don’t have 100 percent of America, you can have 40 or 50 percent or more, and that’s a good start. We can’t just wait around for the federal government."

Several governors were more cautious in their assessment of how global warming policy would play out in their state’s economy. Governor Jennifer Granholm (D-MI, home to automakers that are battling congressional efforts to toughen fuel efficiency) said success would only come when all nations, like China, are committed to the same goals and are playing by the same rules. Governor Joe Manchin III (D-WV) said that the U.S. couldn’t afford to stop using his state’s coal, even though it’s a leading source of global warming emissions.

Associated Press, via International Herald Tribune
Forbes

Last week, the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee passed the Green Jobs Act of 2007 (HR 2847) by a vote of 26-18. Originally introduced by Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-CA) and John Tierney (D-MA), the Green Jobs Act would authorize up to $125 million in funding to establish national and state job training programs for about 35,000 U.S. workers. These jobs training would help to address the shortages in green industries such as solar panel installation, building weatherization, and wind turbine maintenance.

Congresswoman Solis explained why the bill is important:

"… I know that we can achieve the goals of becoming energy independent and reducing our global warming emissions. But the strength of our nation’s economy depends on the availability of a highly skilled and well-trained work force. This legislation is an opportunity to advance not only the energy security of our nation, but also the economic security of our families.”

During committee deliberation, Democrats defeated a Republican amendment to include coal-to-liquid technologies. Fuel from liquid coal produces more than double the amount of global warming pollution as petroleum-based fuels and doesn't help to solve the climate change problem.

The Green Jobs Act is part of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s “Energy Independence Day” plan. Other parts of the plan include bills that would set new energy-efficiency standards for home appliances, require more efficient lighting, promote green buildings in the public and private sectors, provide long-term incentives for companies to invest in renewable energy, and spend $3.5 billion over five years to improve how the U.S. grows and produces biofuels.

Congresswoman Solis
Gristmill, via Topix
Tri-Valley Herald
Washington Post
The Green Options Interview: Van Jones

Ogden, Utah has joined the growing number of American cities buying clean, renewable energy to power their community. Mayor Matthew Godfrey announced that Ogden will buy enough renewable energy through Rocky Mountain Power’s Blue Sky program to cover about 19 percent of city buildings’ electricity use.

The Mayor also urged residents and businesses to participate in the Blue Sky program, which gets its electricity from six wind power facilities and is one of the most popular green power programs in the nation. Mayor Godfrey’s Blue Sky Community Challenge aims to get 5 percent of businesses and households signed up for renewable energy by the end of October.

Increasing investment in renewable energy is an important economic move for Ogden, a city of about 78,000 people. It has been attracting several outdoor recreation companies, and Mayor Godfrey explained that having clean air is “critical” to attracting these businesses.

The Sustainable Ogden Committee developed the challenge, and has other initiatives in the works. A Fresh Air Friday program will encourage the use of public transportation, converting city vehicle fleets to renewable fuels, and a downtown bicycle program.

Ogden’s purchase of wind power will cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – a main contributor to global warming – by 900 tons each year. That’s equivalent to planting about 354 acres of trees, according to a statement from the Mayor. If Ogden residents meet the Blue Sky Community Challenge, it would cut CO2 emissions by about 5,900 tons each year. A typical household could get 100 percent of its energy from renewable power for an extra $11.70 per month.

Rocky Mountain Power
Salt Lake Tribune, via Headwaters News

A new study released by the organization Environment Michigan reports that increasing renewable energy and energy efficiency could create nearly 7,000 jobs, over $3 billion in new salaries, reduce power plant emission 30 percent, and save over $2 billion in energy bills for Michigan residents by 2020. Whew.

“Energizing Michigan’s Economy: Creating Jobs, Reducing Pollution with Energy Efficiency and Renewable Electric Power” suggests that Governor Jennifer Granholm’s 21st Century Energy Plan doesn’t go far enough. The Governor’s plan recommends a Renewable Energy Standard of more than 10 percent renewable energy by 2015.

But with an increased need for power, Michigan will have to invest more heavily in renewable energy in order to avoid building more dirty fossil fuel plants. Environment Michigan’s three central policy recommendations from the report are:

• Invest heavily in energy efficiency programs, with the goal to satisfy future growth demand with efficiency improvements.

• Implement a Renewable Energy Standard requiring utilities to get 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by the year 2025.

• Reject new coal plants or nuclear power proposals. If the above recommendations are adopted, Michigan may avoid building any more new dirty power plants.

With nearly half the country operating some sort of Renewable Energy Standard, Michigan would be in good company, not to mention providing its economy with a much-needed boost.

By the way: I’ve read the comments on my last post and found some good fodder for further discussion of wind power facts and myths. I’ll post more next week, so stay tuned.

Detroit Free Press
Environment Michigan
Energizing Michigan’s Economy: Executive Summary