Jobs

The renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) industries represented more than 9 million jobs and over $1 billion in U.S. revenue in 2007, according to the American Solar Energy Society's Green Collar Jobs report.

According to the report, the renewable energy industry grew three times as fast as the U.S. economy, with the solar thermal, photovoltaic, biodiesel and ethanol sectors leading the way, each with more than 25% annual revenue growth.

Key steps include a national renewable portfolio standard, long-term extension of the production tax credit, effective net-metering policies and improved access to electric transmission infrastructure.

According to the advanced scenario in the report, which represents the upper limit of what is technologically and economically feasible, RE&EE would generate about 37 million jobs and $4.29 billion in annual revenue by 2030, which is one of three forecast scenarios highlighted in this report.

But while there is tremendous opportunity, there is also a real sense of urgency. Every year's delay by policy-makers has a highly disproportionate and negative impact on long-range growth, according to the report. The longer that policy-makers delay in implementing ambitious renewable energy and energy-efficiency programs, the more difficult it will be to achieve the report's goals by 2030.

SOURCE: American Solar Energy Society

The New North of Wisconsin

In The State of Wisconsin we have a group of Counties north of Fond do Lac working together formed The New North. One of the goals is to bring investments this area via getting more wind working as manufacturing/jobs creating cheep clean power.
This has been very very good for everyone in this area. New jobs investment in manufacturing has brought this to the New North. Good going !
Why can't the rest of the State get this going too?

Green Job Training in Mass!

Authorized by the Green Jobs Act signed into law by Gov. Deval Patrick, D-Mass., the Energy and Environmental Affairs' new Pathways Out of Poverty grants are designed to jump-start training in clean energy careers for low- and moderate-income residents.

EEA will award five grants of $100,000 to $300,000 to each program that serves workers with incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level ($63,600 for family of four). Grants will target programs in the commonwealth's gateway communities of Brockton, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, Pittsfield, Springfield and Worcester.

Grant applications are due to EEA by Jan. 15 for the programs that are expected to begin in February and last through June 2010.

"These grants will fund programs that prepare workers for good-paying jobs in this growing sector of the Massachusetts economy, giving low- and moderate-income individuals a path to self-sufficiency while building the skilled workforce our clean energy industry needs in order to thrive," says EEA Secretary Ian A. Bowles.

Projects eligible for Pathways Out of Poverty grants include job training and apprenticeship programs, relevant education, career coaching, and outreach and recruitment of unemployed participants. While grant applicants are not required to provide matching funds, EEA will give more weight in the selection process to projects that leverage funding from additional sources.

In addition to authorizing Pathways Out of Poverty grants, the Green Jobs Act created a new Clean Energy Technology Center that will support workforce development, university partnerships, R&D and clean energy entrepreneurship.

For more information, visit mass.gov.

SOURCE: Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Vestas Expands

Danish wind turbine supplier Vestas is seeking to consolidate its presence in Portland, Ore., by building a new headquarters for Vestas Americas, the company's business unit responsible for wind turbine sales, installation, and service and maintenance in North America.

Vestas Americas has been headquartered in Portland since 2002. In addition to the headquarters, Portland is home to one of Vestas' regional IT centers, a tools warehouse and the Vestas Business Academy training facility.

The proposed new headquarters, which is expected to be over 500,000 square feet in size and LEED Platinum certified, will consolidate Vestas' presence in Portland, as well as allow for future growth.

As negotiations are in process, Vestas cannot, at this point, confirm the sites it is considering for development. The company is currently working with the state of Oregon and city of Portland to leverage development, tax and financing options.

"The decision by Vestas to recommend building their new North American headquarters here sends a strong message that even in these difficult economic times, Portland has the confidence of companies willing to bring family wage jobs to the city," says Portland Mayor Tom Potter. "It also provides further validation of Portland's international reputation as a leading green city."

As the American wind industry continues to grow, Vestas Americas' desire to expand its headquarters in Portland also means further opportunities to form partnerships with Oregon's community colleges and universities to increase collaboration on wind energy programs and build a talented workforce for the company.

In addition, Vestas has just opened a new research and development hub in Boston. In 2009, the company will open a research center in Houston.

SOURCE: Vestas