Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Clean Energy to the (Economic) Rescue

UC Berkeley economics professor David Roland-Holst's economic assessment, conducted on behalf of Next 10, predicts that a new California energy agenda--emphasizing efficiency, renewables, and infrastructure--can be a potent catalyst for economic growth, create a new clean energy market, and spur innovation in renewables.

Energy Pathways for the California Economy evaluates the state’s energy demand and supply horizons, as well as the economic impact of accelerating deployment of renewable energy resources and energy efficiency trends in California.
  • From electricity to transportation, projecting status quo demand and supply horizons portends ever greater reliance on out-of-state fuel sources, and therefore greater exposure to fuel price volatility.
  • The faster and farther California can improve household and enterprise energy efficiency, while accelerating deployment of renewable energy resources, the faster the state economy will grow and create jobs. The most ambitious scenario (50% renewable energy, 1.5% annual efficiency increases) produces the largest number of additional jobs and income -- generating half a million new FTE jobs with over $100 billion in cumulative payrolls over 40 years.
  • Renewable energy generation is more job-intensive than the traditional carbon fuel supply chain, captures more benefits within the state economy, and reduces our vulnerability to uncertain global energy markets.
Click here to read or download the complete report.

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