A collection of recent Green Jobs studies provide Ohio and Northeast Ohio with lessons on the best strategies for growth.
Lesson 1: Ohio’s strength lies in renewable energy component manufacturing
Economic benefits – Every $1 million of investment in rotors, generators, towers and other related investments equates to 1 MW of renewable energy capacity and three new jobs. Ohio could gain 22,922 jobs from renewable energy component manufacturing, with Cuyahoga and Lorain counties topping the list. Renewable Energy Policy Project (PDF) (2005).
Social benefits – Some of the most demanded occupations for renewable energy would include carpenters, accountants, engineers, technicians, mechanics, plumbers, sales representatives, and managers. Wages for many of these new jobs are higher than the US average (Economic and Jobs Impacts of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency PDF).
Lesson 2: Wind is Northeast Ohio’s most advantageous green industry
Component manufacturing – Based on existing manufacturing and infrastructure capacity, Ohio, with Northeast Ohio as its leader, holds the second highest investment potential in the country for wind energy component manufacturing, according to the Renewable Energy Policy Project (PDF) (2005).
Wind speed – Ohio has 13,000 sq. km. of land area with wind speeds usable for commercial-scale wind farms. Excluding urban areas, environmentally sensitive lands, water bodies, and Lake Erie, Ohio could support 66,000 MW of wind power capacity. Energizing Ohio's Economy, Environment Ohio (PDF) (2007).
A logistical match – Given the size of commercial turbines and the difficulty to ship them, wind energy relies much more on local component manufacturing, assemblage and installation. Ohio has the perfect spatial match of wind power capacity and manufacturing capability to become a leader in wind energy investment and job growth.
Lesson 3: Energy efficiency is Ohio’s largest green industry sector overall
Diversity – While component manufacturing is a focused area of job growth, jobs in energy efficiency extend to almost every area or function of our economy, from government energy efficiency programs, to insulation, recycling and reuse industries including collection, processing and manufacturing, to vehicle, building, lighting and appliance efficiency.
Magnitude – In Ohio, the energy efficiency sector totaled more than $50 billion in gross revenues and created 500,000 new jobs in 2006. Out of these, manufacturing, recycling and vehicle fuel efficiency were Ohio’s largest energy efficiency employers.
Policy matters – While the potential in energy efficiency seems almost endless, job growth estimates vary based on policy scenarios—including the levels of government regulated efficiency goals, R&D and tax incentives, renewable portfolio standard mandates, and externalities pricing (American Solar Energy Society Job Report). For example, with automakers required to have a fleet-wide fuel efficiency average of 35 mpg by 2020, Ohio could gain 7,700 jobs (Union of Concerned Scientists (PDF) 2007).
For more information about who is working to advance green energy jobs, see the Energy section of GreenCityBlueLake.
