There is a wonderful article from Triple Pundit (Planet, People, Profit) that elaborates on the many ways Texas is perfect for a rousing renewable energy future. Plus, the Lone Star State has already met its goal of having 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity 15 years ahead of schedule.
Now an independent foundation released a report stating that Texas’s renewable energy future could include almost 23,000 jobs a year and $2.7 billion in local and state tax revenues. Could clean tech follow high tech and biotech as Texas giants?
The report, announced earlier this week at the State Capitol in Austin, is the work of the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation. In sum, the study proposes the state could become a catalyst for the renewable energy industry, and envisions three scenarios:
- For an approximate $13 increase in residential energy bills, the state could gain a 20% growth in its renewable energy capacity, which in turn would create the best possible scenario, the presumed 22,900 additional clean energy jobs added annually. State revenues would also reach the aforementioned $2.7 billion mark. Many residents would probably balk at this—or would the “price of a postage stamp” daily argument work?
- In a baseline scenario, a statewide $4 utility bill increase would create about 6000 new jobs annually, and net a 15% percent
increase in Texas’s renewable energy capacity. Texas would also gain close to $1 billion in revenues, with the state and municipalities splitting that gain about 80-20%. - If Texas stays the course, there would be some modest growth in job creation, economic growth and tax revenues, but nothing approaching the baseline or best-possible scenarios
Read the rest here: http://tinyurl.com/2ubknlr
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In the Energy Policy Examiner, Clifford Bryan writes about the many green jobs that are showing up as sustainable building practices increase demand for green construction workers.
One of your stops will be this renovated 1917 cottage at 607 Deep Eddy Avenue featuring sustainable materials such as renewable eucalyptus cabinetry and recycled paper countertops.
Or how about this updated AD Stenger home at 440 Ridgewood Drive? 
comprehensive plans. The fund allows technical assistance, training, education, project implementation of commercially-available energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, but can’t be used for research activities or construction. Lots of good work will be accomplished through this program and funding. 
Or ask the manufacturing workers in the Midwest who, because their companies successfully transitioned into clean energy manufacturing, escaped the job loss that befell millions of their brethren over the past decade. In Ohio, a business that once manufactured packaging materials now produces harvesters that transform algae into fuels and plastics. Another that produced large-diameter bolts for construction projects is now making bolts for wind turbines. Not only do these jobs provide the income and stability that Americans want, but they also contribute to U.S. energy independence and fight global climate change.
experts say 2010 will be dominated by energy efficiency, the mundane but critical process of cutting the amount of gas and electricity that homes and offices use.
including wind and solar, drew more than $140bn of investment during this period, compared to $110bn for coal and gas meant for electrical power generation. More than one-third of this ‘green money’ ended up in Britain and the rest of Europe.
