The fledgling renewable energy industry has grown steadily over much of the past decade, adding jobs at more than twice the national rate, according to a Pew Charitable Trusts study released recently.
Solar and wind-power companies, energy-efficient light bulb makers, environmental engineering firms and others expanded their work force by 9.1 percent from 1998 to 2007, the latest year available, according to Pew.
The average job growth in all industries was 3.7 percent during the same period.
The entire energy sector has experienced growth in recent years as well, according to the Bureau of Labor. Bureau data shows coal mining jobs jumped 16 percent from 2003 to 2009. Oil and gas extraction jobs jumped 28 percent.Continue:
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20090628/BUSINESS/906280360/Study-reveals-jobs-in-fledgling-renewable-energy-sector-are-growing
With his vote that helped the U.S. House narrowly approve the energy bill, U.S. Rep. Mike Castle established his reputation as moderate Republican. That is not a comfortable place to be, with conservative blogger coming up with a "Wanted Poster" and a few letter-writers from out of state expressing their anger in letters with in all capital letters. Castle did decide to issue a lengthy statement explaining the vote:
"My priorities, as I represent Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives today, begin with the economic opportunities and security for all who live here. We are facing serious challenges in both areas. With state budget shortfalls, rising unemployment and stagnant growth in many of the industries on which we typically rely-- new ideas and bold strategies for the future are required. Simultaneously, our nation's military is spread thin across the world in an effort to confront those who seek to do us harm. One major threat to our security and theirs is the current reliance we have on foreign energy sources.
Continue:
http://www.ledgerdelaware.com/articles/2009/06/28/news/doc4a48269d16023954290172.txt
UK Energy Minister Lord Hunt yesterday announced an extra 25 GW of offshore wind energy around the UK in addition to the 8 GW already built or planned.
The boost to UK offshore wind capacity, which arose from the Government’s Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), allows the Crown Estate to launch a third round of leasing for new wind farms.
Speaking at the British Wind Energy Association conference, he said: “We’re already the world’s number one offshore wind power. With the right support, we can grow the industry even further, supporting tens of thousands of high value, green manufacturing jobs.”
The Government estimates that offshore wind, as well as supporting the UK target of 15% renewable energy by 2020, could generate up to 70,000 new jobs and annual revenues of £8 billion.
Any new wind farms should also find it easier to connect to the national grid with the start of the new £15 billion licensing regime. The new Ofgem-administered competitive tender process could save generators around £1 billion, says the Government.
“The Crown Estate is delighted that 25 GW has been confirmed and also agreement on the ‘Go-Active’ date has been reached for the offshore transmission regime,” said Rob Hasting, director of the Marine Estate at the Crown Estate. “These are significant milestones.”
The latest round of leasing for offshore wind farms will take the total capacity to 33 GW by 2020 – a quarter of the country’s electricity demand.
Environmental group Friends of the Earth welcomed the move but is calling on the Government to secure funding for further wind expansion and develop a new supergrid.
“At last the Government is starting to recognise the enormous potential of the UK’s offshore wind power and its crucial role in slashing emissions and securing a national energy system based on clean, safe, renewable energy,” commented campaigner Nick Rau.
Lord Hunt also announced at the conference that the UK would be joining the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which it had previously refused to do in case it undermined the efforts of the International Energy Agency (IEA). However, the Government has changed tack and says it will be signing the official agreement as soon as possible.
http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/policy/i/2205/
Phoenix Business Journal
The U.S. Department of Energy has freed up $22.2 million to invest in renewable energy projects in Arizona.
The grant will allow the state to establish a revolving loan program for small business owners interested in improving energy efficiency or installing solar platforms at their facilities, according to an announcement by U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Flagstaff.
The funds are part of more than $204 million allocated to state energy programs nationwide through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
