04.13.04

Cantwell: Clean Energy Solutions Will Be a Jobs Boon for Washington State

Report Shows Clean Energy Solutions Create More Jobs Than Fossil Fuel Investments

SEATTLE – Investments in clean, renewable energy solutions will create more jobs than comparable investments in fossil fuel, a report found. U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA-01) released the report yesterday at the New Apollo Energy Forum that was held in the Jackson Federal Building.

"Already, the Northwest has a $1.4 billion per year clean energy industry, on track to grow to $2.5 billion over the next 20 years, and create over 12,000 new jobs in the region," Cantwell said. "With its highly skilled and technologically savvy workforce, Washington state is uniquely suited to be a leader in the clean energy market."

The report found that, per unit of energy, the renewable energy sector generates more jobs than the fossil fuel-based energy sector. It also found that every state, especially Washington, would stand to gain in net employment from a focused assortment of clean energy policies at the federal level.

Cantwell and Inslee wrote an introduction letter for the report, which reviewed the results of 13 independent reports and studies that analyze the economic and employment impacts of the clean energy industry in the United States and Europe.

Wrote the pair of Washington lawmakers, "These studies confirm that supporting renewable and efficient energy systems will create more American jobs than would a comparable investment in traditional fossil fuel based systems…We believe that only with sustained and focused efforts will we generate millions of new high paying manufacturing jobs, promote the security of our nation, and ensure the health of our environment."

The report was completed by Dr. Dan Kammen of the University of California, Berkeley. Kammen presented his findings at the New Apollo Energy Forum in Seattle. The forum seeks to advance energy independence and job creation through a cleaner, domestically-based, and more secure 21st century energy system.

Cantwell said, "By exploring wind and other clean energy alternatives to fossil fuels, I think we're going to find that taking the clean route will simultaneously benefit our environment and our economy."

Cantwell is a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee's Energy Subcommittee. Last fall she led the fight in the Senate to stop the Bush administration's energy plan, which she decried as a handout to "polluters and corporate looters," that failed to address market manipulation and energy grid reliability.