Green power standard could create 6,000 jobs in one state
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, 2004-09-15 (Refocus Weekly)
More than 5,800 jobs would be created in the state of Pennsylvania if the U.S. were to aim for 20% of its electricity from renewables by 2020.
A national renewable portfolio standard (RPS) would create 1.8 times more
jobs in Pennsylvania than generating electricity from fossil fuels, and the
development of renewables would provide a significant source of new income for
rural communities from capital investment and direct payments, according to a
study from the Union of Concerned Scientists. The group also released analyses
for Oregon and Iowa.
“Pennsylvania leads the region in renewable energy development thanks to
forward-looking customers and early market leaders,” says Brent Alderfer of
Community Energy, a wind energy developer. “A national standard is a vital
piece to provide a stable market for renewable technologies.”
A national RPS would save consumers in Pennsylvania $1.8 billion on energy bills
through 2020 primarily by reducing the demand for (and the price of) natural
gas. Nationally, the consumer savings would be $49 billion.
By 2020, a national 20% RPS would provide a net gain of 2,560 new jobs in
Pennsylvania, the study concludes. It would also generate $1.3 billion in
capital investment, provide $799 million in income to farmers and rural
landowners from producing biomass energy supplies and wind power land leases,
and yield $90 million in property tax revenues for rural communities.
“A healthy environment and healthy economy are not mutually exclusive,” says
Rachel Filippini of the Group Against Smog & Pollution. “Clean, renewable
energy, produced in Pennsylvania, can help us have both.”
“The faith community supports a national renewable electricity standard
because it will help Pennsylvania reduce its air and water pollution,” adds
Joy Bergey of the Pennsylvania Interfaith Climate Change Campaign. “By
supporting a national renewable electricity standard, our Congressional
delegation can produce jobs and ensure cleaner air and water for everyone.”
The Union of Concerned Scientists detailed the Pennsylvania projections as part
of its advocacy for the same standards at the federal level. Currently, 2.5% of
the country’s electricity is generated from renewables while 2% of the state’s
power comes from windfarms and other renewable resources.
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