Substantial job growth for Cleveland can result from a focus on renewable energy, as renewable energy creates four times as many jobs per megawatt of installed capacity as natural gas and creates 40% more jobs per dollar invested than coal-fired plants.

A continued focus on traditional, non-renewable energy sources not only ensures high economic and environmental costs for Cleveland, it also represents a missed opportunity for innovation, economic growth, and renewed competitiveness. Advanced sources of energy—wind, solar, biomass and fuel cells—leverage Cleveland’s competitive advantage in manufacturing and respond to the strong local demand, a perfect context in which to develop new business and employment opportunities, as well as cut costs, enhance sector productivity and increase community wealth.

The 2013 Celebration Year is intended to coincide with the groundbreaking for one Northeast Ohio's priority renewable energy projects: The Lake Erie Wind Farm, a 5MW pilot with plans to expand to 20 MW—it would be the first freshwater wind farm in the world. Plans are already underway for the wind farm; for more information go here.

Stay up to date on the activities of the 2019 groups focused on advanced energy and renewable resources from the links below.