Renewable energy could electrify California economy and job market, report says

August 19, 2008. If California requires its utilities to get one-third of their energy from solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable sources rather than coal or gas, will that help or hurt the state economically?  A struggle is underway to influence public opinion, with business interests saying it would cost consumers in higher electric bills, and environmental groups touting the jobs that clean-tech industry would bring to the state.

A report, "Harvesting California’s Renewable Energy Resources: A Green Jobs Business Plan,” was released Friday by the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies, a Sacramento-based nonprofit.

It surveys major studies and concludes that if California gets a third of its power from renewable sources by 2020, as pending legislation would require, as much as $60 billion would be pumped into the state economy. Manufacturing could increase by 200,000 jobs.

California is requiring utilities to reach 20% renewable energy by 2010.

But the Air Resources Board says that is not enough to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels, as the law requires.

Originally Published