Why Clean Energy Will Create Jobs AND Help The Environment: A Look At California University's College of Natural Resources 2009 Executive Summary

Whether it's on Capitol Hill in Washington, or a neighborhood gathering, a popular topic for debate is whether clean energy could create jobs in the United States. Those who support investment in alternative energy resources will argue that it will while those against often argue that the jobs will continue to come from overseas

However, if you read California University's Executive Summary of 2009, you will learn that investing in clean energy will indeed create jobs.

Written by David Roland‐Holst and Friedrich Kahrl, the summary details the fact that clean energy investment will help create jobs in all 50 states, with a potential growth of up to nearly two million new positions.

As the authors state in their findings, "All 50 states can gain economically from
strong federal energy and climate policy, despite the diversity of their economies and
energy mixes."

The assessment done by Roland-Hols and Kahrl frequently mentions federal clean energy that was passed in the U.S. House Of Representatives called the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES)

The ACES bill estimated that over 78,000 jobs would have been created in Pennsylvania alone and over 198,000 in the Mid-Atlantic region. In addition to jobs being created in the U.S., the new energy would have lowered the dependence on foreign energy. As the study says, "By shifting to domestic renewable substitutes, the Western states can reduce their long term external energy dependence.

Certainly when discussing the advantages to clean energy, you'll look to how it will benefit the environment. The ACES bill would have required that electric utility companies meet 20% of their sales using alternative energy by the year 2020 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions 83% by 2050. As said in the article, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by such a large percentage would have been a "fundamental transformation of the U.S. energy system."

Though the U.S. Senate proposed a bill known as the American Power Act, it was ultimately never voted on, and no federal legislation was passed. But with over 68% of the American population supporting this type of legislation, there is still hope that we will see something similar to the ACES bill passed in the near future.

Graph 1: Greenhouse Gas Emission
Reduction under the ACES bill.

Sources:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/support-for-federal-backing-of-renewables-slips-driven-by-gop-skepticism/2011/11/10/gIQA97kX9M_story.html

http://are.berkeley.edu/~dwrh/CERES_Web/Docs/ES_DRHFK091024.pdf

A talk with Carlisle Borough Councilman Tim Scott On Implementing Alternative Energy Soltuions To The Borough

If you visit the campus of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, you will see a student body and faculty committed to sustainability. Recycle bins are everywhere, messages about the importance of sustainability are all over bulletin boards, and the school hosts a spring fair each year allowing alternative energy and environmental companies and organizations to come to the campus and speak to students and citizens of the town.

For sure, Dickinson College is fully committed to alternative energy and the benefits that come from it. But what is even better news is the Borough of Carlisle, led by Borough Councilman Tim Scott, is showing they're committed as well. A new project they are undertaking only further proves it.

Financed by bonds, loans and a potential grant from the Commonwealth Finance Agency, the Borough Council has signed off on a solar array project that will use solar panels to power their wastewater facility.

A proponent for clean energy, Tim Scott believes this project will show people the benefits of converting to new types of energy and why it makes sense.

"From my perspective, it makes sense because of the savings in electricity costs that can be passed on to the rate payers," said Scott. "In the case of this wastewater project, not only will our customers in the Borough receive these savings, but in the townships we provide as well."

This project is just one example about the potential jobs that could be created locally from alternative energy projects. "One would hope this (would create jobs)," said Scott. "Our solar array project is a job creator and that's what it's all about these days."

The wastewater project is the second major alternative energy initiative seen recently in the Borough. Carlisle Area School District recently converted to solar energy and today has the biggest solar array for a public school in Pennsylvania.

While the wastewater project was a big step in the town's conversion to alternative energy, it was by no means their last. As Tim Scott explained, they have a non-voting student ambassador on the council from Dickinson College that is assisting in the commitment to sustainability. "The Student Ambassador and I announced a joint project this week in which we will present Council with several sustainability options that the Borough and the college can work on together." Scott said.

With these ongoing efforts, the future looks promising for Carlisle to be a great example to the region about how to utilize alternative energy. Tim Scott's work has been an instrumental part to the current success and his work will still be a value to the community moving forward.

For Scott, he believes there are many possibilities for Carlisle's alternative energy development in the next ten years. "I would like to see all our major operations (public works building, parks and recreation center, water plant) getting at least 51% of their energy needs from a renewable source, whether it be solar, wind or hydro," said Scott. "This would have a tremendous positive effect on the Borough's checkbook and ultimately save tax-payer dollars."

Sources:

www.henkels.com/NEWSDESK/Pages/Carlisle%20Area%20School%20District%27s%20Commitment%20to%20Renewable%20Energy.aspx

www.dickinson.edu/about/sustainability/content/Green-Campus.aspx

Alternative Energy Right At Your Back Door?

In recent years, people have seen commercials for all types of energy. There are, of course, the ads we have seen for years from the big oil companies like Exxon, BP, and Chevron. Recently, in Pennsylvania, we've also begun to see a fair share of advertisements trying to convince the viewer about the why there are advantages in natural gas use.

Another group of ads that have started to make their way on television recently is local alternative energy companies. It's an important step in the emergence of this type of clean energy, especially in Pennsylvania.

What I found in my travels when I worked for a non-profit organization focusing on educating people about alternative energy was that many constituents did not even know there were alternative energy companies in or near their home town. This was certainly the case in the Harrisburg region. In fact, a friend of mine recently questioned why there were no companies around the capital city.

The fact is, there are a host of companies just miles away from Harrisburg that provide homeowners and businesses the opportunity to invest in alternative energy. Whether it's solar, wind or geothermal, all are available. Here is a quick summary of ten companies less than 30 miles from the city of Harrisburg.

Bright Eye Solar, LLC
Address: 733 Chickies Drive, Columbia, PA 17512
Phone: (717) 207-8449
Website: www.brighteyesolar.com
Specializes In: Solar

Energy Systems and Installation, Inc.
Address: 451 Jonestown Road, Jonestown, PA 17038
Phone: (717) 861-4012
Website: www.esipowercorp.com
Specializes In: Solar

East Coast Solar Inc
Address: 2122 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 609-2681
Website: www.eastcoastsolarsystems.com
Specializes In: Solar Energy

Eichelbergers Energy Company, LLC
Address: 6427 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Phone: (717) 458-0928
Website: www.eichelbergers.com
Specializes In: Solar and Geothermal

I Need Solar
Address: 4913 Gettysburg Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Phone: (717) 975-9108
Website: www.ineedsolar.com
Specializes In: Solar









Maximus Solar
Address: 453 Lincoln Street, Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 961-5009
Website: www.maximussolar.com
Specializes In: Solar Energy

Mid-Atlantic Geothermal

Address 3700 Druck Valley Road, York, PA 17406
Phone: (717) 755-0015 () ‎
Website: www.midatlanticgeothermal.com
Specializes In: Geothermal

Secco Home Services
Address: 1111 Primrose Avenue, Camp Hill, PA 17011

Phone: (717) 737-8100 () ‎
Website: www.seccohome.com
Specializes In: Solar Energy

Sunlion Energy Systems Inc.
Address: 2330 Dairy Road, Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: (717) 898-8700
Website: www.sunlionenergysystems.com
Specializes In: Wind and Solar

WIND & SOLAR, LLC
Address: 255 Butler Avenue, Lancaster, PA 1760
Phone: (717) 808-4693 ()
Website: pawindandsolar.com
Specializes In: Wind and Solar

Whether you're looking to install geothermal at your home, put solar panels on the roof of your business, or put up a wind turbine at your farm, these companies will help provide you with whatever service you need.