Feb 12 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Scott Monroe Morning Sentinel, Waterville, Maine


What exactly is the "green economy" and what kinds of jobs are a part of it?

A report released Thursday by the state's Department of Labor Center for Workforce Research and Information sets out to answer those and other questions amid what it describes as growing demand for renewable and efficient energy solutions.

State officials unveiled the "Maine's Green Economy" report during a news conference at Kennebec Valley Community College, highlighting the college's efforts at training a skilled new-energy workforce.

Among those in training are KVCC seniors Matt Dolan and MaryAnn Tuttle, both of whom said new-energy training doesn't take the place of traditional instruction, but rather supplements it.

 "I see myself as a residential electrician," Dolan said, adding that he's also trained to install solar panels and wind turbines. "It's exciting; once we get out there I feel we'll be ahead of the competition."

Labor department officials said the 19-page green economy report is the first in a series of planned publications that will aim to focus on job creation and identifying needed skills. Meantime, the department aims to track the size of Maine's renewable and efficient energy sectors.

The report begins by stating the growing international demand for energy and natural resources "has had a negative impact on Maine consumers, businesses and its climate," but says the progression also is an opportunity for economic growth. Citing the nationwide Occupational Information Network program and other global sources, the report defines the main objective of a green economy as reducing the use of fossil fuels, pollution and carbon emissions while increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewable resources.

Green economy sectors, the report says, include research and consulting, manufacturing, agriculture and forestry, recycling and waste reduction, transportation and more.

In addressing the size of the green economy, the report references several studies, including an October 2008 study from Global Insight Inc. that estimates 2.5 million "green" jobs will be created in the U.S. by 2018. Of the 751,000 people with green jobs, more than half were involved in engineering, legal, research and consulting fields.

How big is the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector in Maine? Using the Global Insight metrics, the report estimates there were 2,500 in 2006 and that the sector will grow by about 600 jobs per year for the next three decades.

At Thursday's news conference, Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said that not all "green" jobs rely exclusively on highly technical training. Most jobs, she said, will involve some unique skills and knowledge that can complement a worker's existing training.

"It could mean training on weatherization techniques for the residential home-builder," Fortman said, "or certification for a plumber who is interested in adding solar heating installations to their business services."

Barbara Woodlee, president of KVCC, noted that the college's alternative-energy training has been in place for decades and said the college is now seeking funding to create a new energy services and technology program in which students work on systems that control all energy applications.

"Students will identify and understand building performance problems so that they can accurately assess building tightness, mechanical and distribution systems and combustion safety for a whole-building, performance-based approach to building science," Woodlee said. "KVCC is excited about these programs."

Scott Monroe -- 861-9253

smonroe@centralmaine.com

(c) 2010, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services