[The Vector] – Clean Energy Job Report – Continued
..continued from an earlier article
Manufacturing has been on the decline for decades. Manufacturing jobs have shrunk 21% between 1998 and 2007. This has left workers in need of jobs and states in need of new industries. As a case in point, Michigan has lost auto manufacturing jobs and had the highest unemployment rate in the U.S. by March 2009. The Governor is focusing on the clean energy economy as a major part of planned recovery, planning to create clean energy jobs for its reisdents in the “No Worker Left Behind“ program.
But no two states are alike. Some have abundant natural resources, others have great research universities, others have strong state commitment to policy or attract more venture capital. Wyoming, for instance, with a low population has the fewest green jobs nationally but has grown annually by 5.2%. California, with the most green energy jobs has grown annually by 0.9%. The states that have had the fastest-growing energy economies, according to the Pew study, are Colorado, Oregon and Tennessee, which all exceeded the national averages on jobs and growth by 2007. Colorado stimulated job growth in the Clean Energy category, while Oregon was a leader in the Energy Efficiency category and Tennessee in the Conservation and Pollution Mitigation category.
Twelve states have large and growing clean energy economies, expanding with a strong foundation: California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
In data through 2007, states that were losing clean energy jobs included Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. New Jersey and New York have taken bold steps in the last year to lay a foundation for green energy growth.
The Pew report identified the category of “Small yet fast growing“ to 15 states, those with fewer than national average of jobs by 2007 but above national average in adding new jobs. For example, Idaho had fewer than 5,000 jobs but an annual average job growth at 10.1%. The other states in this category are Arizona, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisian, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota and Wyoming.
Patents
States leading in Patent registrations between 1999 and 2008 also led in venture capital funding, and overall employment or creation of new jobs. Patents help companies and states bring new clean products into life which stimulates jobs and business.
Patents protect and also control technology, an important component in bringing innovation to market and life. Patents are not only for new technology and entrepreneurs, but also for established businesses – allowing businesses to advance and succeed.
8,384 clean energy technology patents were registered between 1999 and 2008, says th
e report. While battery technology accounts for about half, registrations in fuel cells and hybrid systems are gaining ground. Wind patents have grown recently while
solar has dropped, because the industry has focused on implementing and scaling up existing technologies, says Pew.
Public Policy
The Pew report emphasizes that state and federal policy goes a long way to hindering or stimulating jobs and the nascent industry. Public policy that includes financial incentives, renewable portfolio standards, energy efficiency standards and clean energy initiatives help the industry overall.
The chart below, courtesy Pew Charitable Trusts, illustrates which states have made progress in policies.
Conclusion
The Pew study demonstrates that clean energy is vital to America’s economy growth and recovery. The Energy economy is found in all 50 states. The clean energy industry will be driven by venture capital, public policy and market forces. State and federal policy makers should take note, be sure to recognize that jobs can be added or stagnated through their policies.
