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Capitol Matters: Pa. moves toward clean and green
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share thisHARRISBURG - A first-time report on green-sector jobs in Pennsylvania could turn the spotlight again on state legislation to foster greater use of clean energy.
A combination of public and private spending will create 115,000 "green" jobs directly and indirectly during the next three years in such fields as renewable energy, pollution prevention, environmental cleanup and energy efficiency, forecasts the Green Jobs report released last week by the Department of Labor and Industry. These jobs will cover the gamut from machinists making parts for wind turbines, installers of solar panels and auditors calculating how much energy a building uses.
The report defines green jobs as those that promote energy efficiency, foster sustainable use of resources, prevent pollution and reduce harmful emissions. Currently, the department estimates there are 350,000 green jobs in Pennsylvania.
This new category includes some jobs that traditionally fall into other industry sectors such as construction and manufacturing. For example, construction workers can master new skills allowing them to work as conservation retrofitters, considered a green job.
The job creation estimate is based on $10 billion in public and private spending through 2012, said L&I Secretary Sandi Vito.
The public spending will come through the state-run alternate energy development fund created in 2008 and the federal stimulus package. About $9.5 million in stimulus money went last month to eight solar projects in Pennsylvania.
L&I will undertake further studies to identify what training and skills are needed for individuals to obtain green jobs, said Ms. Vito. To that end, the department plans to hold regional meetings with employers and plan strategies for creating green jobs similar to what has been done for the health care sector.
The green jobs report is based on existing policies and programs, but it appears as efforts continue to win House passage of legislation to require utility companies to purchase 15 percent of their power from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power by 2024, and authorize development of a state-run carbon sequestration network to store carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired plants.
Gov. Ed Rendell said recently that Pennsylvania needs to set higher standards for alternate energy use, updating a 2004 law, in order to remain competitive with other states. Environmental groups tout a new study suggesting that enactment of a clean energy bill will create 130,000 new jobs. This would be on top of the 115,000 jobs forecast in L&I's report.
But there is considerable opposition to having the state guide alternate energy development.
The bill relies too much on government mandates and taxpayer subsidies, said the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.
"While some lawmakers and environmental groups continue to advocate government mandates and taxpayer solutions as the best solutions to Pennsylvania's energy future, the long-term interest of the commonwealth and its residents would be best served by allowing market forces to determine viable and affordable energy options," said chamber vice president Gene Barr.
ROBERT SWIFT is Harrisburg Bureau Chief for Times-Shamrock Communications newspapers, of which The Daily/Sunday Review is a part. E-mail: rswift@timesshamrock.com
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