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Research Supports Alternative Energy
By Bradley Vasoli, The Bulletin
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary John Hanger hailed the results of a federally commissioned study supporting the development of “green jobs” in the Keystone State Friday.
Conducted by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the report concluded Pennsylvania has the potential to save $5 billion a year in costs to energy consumers through energy conservation. It also says the state can create 27,000 new jobs by 2025 through assistance to alternative-energy companies.
The report lauded measures the state has already enacted, including requirements to cut total energy consumption by 3 percent. It mandates that utilities issue “smart meters” that gauge how much consumers can save by reducing their demand. ACEEE also praised Gov. Ed Rendell’s, D, plan to spend $650 million on “energy-efficient” and “clean-energy” technologies. Although federal taxpayer dollars funded the study, much of ACEEE’s funding comes from businesses that stand to benefit from increased government assistance to alternative-energy production.
“I was pleased to note that the report singled out two legislative milestones that will enhance Pennsylvania’s competitiveness,” Mr. Hanger said in a statement.
And the ACEEE suggests other efforts it hopes the state will make toward building a green economy. Those include a statewide program to retrofit houses to make them more energy-efficient and incentives for consumers to use solar and other renewable energies.
“We think Pennsylvania’s made significant strides and we’ve identified much more that can be done,” ACEEE Executive Director Steve Nadel.
The organization’s financial supporters include ClimateMaster, a manufacturer of specially designed cooling and heating systems, as well as solar companies such as Kyocera Solar, Inc. and Solar Turbines. Some of its better-known contributors include Dow Chemical Company and Maytag.
Companies and environmental groups that stand to gain from government policies often fund organizations that advocate environmentalist-friendly policies, and many of those organizations also contract to do government work.
One organization, called the Center for Climate Strategies, actively encourages states to study the effects of climate change, and once they agree the state often turns to that group to do the research. Other groups like Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future also advocate for state environmental programs in which they themselves participate, says Nathan Benefield, policy research director for the Harrisburg-based Commonwealth Foundation.
“It’s very widespread to see those who benefit from these policies to advocate for them,” he said.
Mr. Nadel said the money ACEEE gets from corporations constitutes “a small portion of support.”
Mr. Benefield has faulted many of these environmental programs for not being net job creators. While the government may succeed in creating jobs in alternative energy, it only does so by drawing from the wealth of Pennsylvania taxpayers and depriving other industries of investment, he said.
DEP spokesperson Teresa Candori said green-job subsidies and other “economic development” spending the state gives out every year are keeping Pennsylvania’s economy relatively strong as the nation weathers a recession.
“We’re in a little bit better shape than the rest of the country and we think it’s because of these investments,” she said.
Pennsylvania’s jobless rate is now 7.8 percent, which compares favorably with the national rate of 8.5 percent. However, Pennsylvania’s capacity to create jobs has been slowing for quite some time. Since Mr. Rendell took office in 2003, Pennsylvania has ranked 40th in job growth, 40th in income growth and 42nd in population growth among all the states.
Bradley Vasoli can be reached at bvasoli@thebulletin.us
Conducted by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the report concluded Pennsylvania has the potential to save $5 billion a year in costs to energy consumers through energy conservation. It also says the state can create 27,000 new jobs by 2025 through assistance to alternative-energy companies.
The report lauded measures the state has already enacted, including requirements to cut total energy consumption by 3 percent. It mandates that utilities issue “smart meters” that gauge how much consumers can save by reducing their demand. ACEEE also praised Gov. Ed Rendell’s, D, plan to spend $650 million on “energy-efficient” and “clean-energy” technologies. Although federal taxpayer dollars funded the study, much of ACEEE’s funding comes from businesses that stand to benefit from increased government assistance to alternative-energy production.
“I was pleased to note that the report singled out two legislative milestones that will enhance Pennsylvania’s competitiveness,” Mr. Hanger said in a statement.
And the ACEEE suggests other efforts it hopes the state will make toward building a green economy. Those include a statewide program to retrofit houses to make them more energy-efficient and incentives for consumers to use solar and other renewable energies.
“We think Pennsylvania’s made significant strides and we’ve identified much more that can be done,” ACEEE Executive Director Steve Nadel.
The organization’s financial supporters include ClimateMaster, a manufacturer of specially designed cooling and heating systems, as well as solar companies such as Kyocera Solar, Inc. and Solar Turbines. Some of its better-known contributors include Dow Chemical Company and Maytag.
Companies and environmental groups that stand to gain from government policies often fund organizations that advocate environmentalist-friendly policies, and many of those organizations also contract to do government work.
One organization, called the Center for Climate Strategies, actively encourages states to study the effects of climate change, and once they agree the state often turns to that group to do the research. Other groups like Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future also advocate for state environmental programs in which they themselves participate, says Nathan Benefield, policy research director for the Harrisburg-based Commonwealth Foundation.
“It’s very widespread to see those who benefit from these policies to advocate for them,” he said.
Mr. Nadel said the money ACEEE gets from corporations constitutes “a small portion of support.”
Mr. Benefield has faulted many of these environmental programs for not being net job creators. While the government may succeed in creating jobs in alternative energy, it only does so by drawing from the wealth of Pennsylvania taxpayers and depriving other industries of investment, he said.
DEP spokesperson Teresa Candori said green-job subsidies and other “economic development” spending the state gives out every year are keeping Pennsylvania’s economy relatively strong as the nation weathers a recession.
“We’re in a little bit better shape than the rest of the country and we think it’s because of these investments,” she said.
Pennsylvania’s jobless rate is now 7.8 percent, which compares favorably with the national rate of 8.5 percent. However, Pennsylvania’s capacity to create jobs has been slowing for quite some time. Since Mr. Rendell took office in 2003, Pennsylvania has ranked 40th in job growth, 40th in income growth and 42nd in population growth among all the states.
Bradley Vasoli can be reached at bvasoli@thebulletin.us
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CTC123 wrote on May 4, 2009 7:37 PM:
The Economic Pyramid
Alternative energy is needed at all levels of the Economic Pyramid. Where is the
Economic Pyramid?
Please Google Search:
CTC123GREEN
CTC = Consider the Connection
123 = 3 PHOTOS = 3000 WORDS
GREEN = Going Green "