Today, the Blue-Green Action Alliance,
the public policy partnership of the Sierra Club and the United
Steelworkers, and Environment North Carolina released a new report,
“North Carolina’s Road to Energy Independence,” detailing the thousands
of new green jobs in North Carolina that could be created by
manufacturing the components for wind turbines, solar panels, and other
renewable energy equipment. The study, prepared by the Renewable
Energy Policy Project, found that more than 700 firms in North Carolina
could benefit from more than 28,500 new jobs.
“Why
order wind turbines from Denmark when we know that North Carolina has
the workers and the factories to make them right here in the state?”
said Margaret Hartzell, Field Organizer with Environment North
Carolina. “Turbines and solar panels from the Charlotte area make
sense for both the environment and North Carolina’s economy. North
Carolina’s been blessed with the natural resources to help America
fight global warming, now it’s time for us to take advantage of North
Carolina’s human resources to help put these smart energy solutions—and
our citizens—to work.”
At
a time when the U.S. is rapidly losing manufacturing jobs, renewable
energy manufacturing can revitalize communities across North Carolina
that have lost jobs, as well creating a whole new generation of
good-paying manufacturing jobs. States across the country, such as
Iowa, Arkansas, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, have already seen
thousands of new jobs created in the clean energy manufacturing
sector.
“By
pushing more renewable energy—something that will fight global warming
and protect the environment—North Carolina can enjoy the same benefits
that other states are already seeing,” said Hartzell. “Fighting global
warming offers us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a
stronger, greener, and more equitable economy, while leaving a cleaner
planet and stable climate for our children and grandchildren.”
Strong State and National Renewable Energy Standards Needed
The
groups also called on Congress to pass a national Renewable Electricity
Standard (RES)—a requirement that 15 percent of our energy come from
renewable sources like wind, solar, and biomass—in the final energy
bill it is due to take up soon. The House is expected to vote today
with the Senate following as soon as next week.
“The
states that moved earliest and most aggressively to establish renewable
electricity standards have seen thousands of new jobs created already,”
said Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director. “By enacting a
national standard, Congress could make sure that all states can benefit
from the green energy manufacturing boom. All the pieces are there,
Congress just needs to pass a final bill to flip the switch on
America’s clean energy future.”
"Right
now, we have a historic opportunity to forge a new direction," said Leo
Gerard, International President of the United Steelworkers.
"Investments in environmentally friendly alternative energy programs at
the state level, supported by federal initiatives, can create a new
surge of quality job growth while significantly reducing our dependence
on foreign oil. We cannot allow this opportunity to pass us by. There
are no good jobs without a clean environment, and vice-versa."
David
Foster, Executive Director of the Blue Green Action Alliance, said, “We
believe environmental challenges like global warming represent the most
important economic opportunities of our generation. This study
confirms that view.”
In addition
to creating thousands of new jobs, analyses have demonstrated that
enacting a national RES could save hardworking American families up to
$18 billion by 2020 on their energy bills by lowering the cost of
natural gas, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Savings
for consumers here in North Carolina would add up to $530 million.
This would also benefit industry and farmers who also depend heavily on
natural gas.
“We
hope North Carolina’s members of Congress will look at the many
benefits for North Carolina and support passing a national Renewable
Electricity Standard as part of Congress’s final energy bill. This is
something that will benefit each and every one of us by saving us money
on our energy bills, protecting our environment, and strengthening our
state’s economy.”
Read the full report.
