The Pew Charitable Trust has released a new report showing that if California and other states enforce clean energy strategies, they will enjoy significant economic growth. The study, The Clean Energy Economy, analyzed cleantech venture capital investment with tracking data on products and services provided to the clean energy sector. For the study’s purposes, cleantech investment could mean anything from hybrid vehicle pu rchases to recycling, but by far the largest sector was conservation and GHG mitigation.
According to Pew, the clean energy economy can be broken into five groups: clean energy, energy efficiency, environmentally friendly production, conservation and pollution mitigation, and training and support. The report outlines many examples of small and large businesses weathering the recession well by emphasizing clean technologies. “The clean energy economy is poised for explosive growth,” said Pew Center on the States Interim Deputy Director Lori Grange. “These jobs are driving economic growth and environmental sustainability at a time when America needs both.” (Source: GreenBiz, June 11, 2009).
Contact: Lori Grange, Interim Deputy Director, Pew Center on the States, (215) 575-4801, www.pewcenteronthestates.org.