The renewable energy industry in Iowa will support thousands of new jobs if the federal government passes a strong national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) this year, according a major new study announced today. A national policy requiring electrical utilities to get 25% of their power from renewable sources by 2025 would drive new jobs in the wind power industry in Iowa, with similar results across the U.S.
The “Job Impacts of a National Renewable Electricity Standard” study, conducted by independent firm Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: NCI) and released by the RES Alliance for Jobs, found that a 25% by 2025 national RES would result in an additional 8,350 renewable energy jobs in Iowa, part of 274,000 jobs nationwide, compared to continuing without a national policy. This is equal to 59,800 job-years of work for Iowans through 2025.
In addition, the study found that without stronger near-term targets than currently envisioned, Iowa industries like wind power will experience flat job growth and long-term stagnation. The RES Alliance recommends raising near-term RES targets in federal legislation to 12% in 2014 and 20% in 2020.
“This new study supports that, with proper federal policies like a strong RES, the U.S. wind energy industry can create long lasting jobs over the next decade,” said Steve Lockard, CEO of TPI Composites, which has a wind blade manufacturing facility in Newton, Iowa. States like Iowa have a great opportunity to revitalize their manufacturing base as a result of this recommended policy.”
With a 25% by 2025 RES, Iowa’s wind energy industry would support an additional 8,000 jobs annually by 2025.
“If we don’t create a stable environment for wind energy investment and turbine manufacturing in the U.S. we are literally giving away jobs to China and India,” said Peter Duprey, CEO of Acciona, which has a manufacturing facility in West Branch, Iowa. “The Renewable Electricity Standard is a stabilizer. It’s the difference between one shift and three at our West Branch plant. It’s the giant step forward that our industry needs for the jobs it promises to create.”
China and the EU have national incentives for clean energy production, the report noted, and unless the U.S. creates a strong national policy of its own we will be at a major disadvantage.
“The report analysis clearly shows that an RES of 25 percent by 2025 results in significantly expanded job opportunities in renewable energy,” said Lisa Frantzis, Managing Director for Renewable and Distributed Energy at Navigant Consulting, which conducted the study. “Each renewable technology will support jobs in different regions across the country, with the bottom line being a marked increase in job opportunities nationwide.”
The RES Alliance / Navigant Consulting study is the first to examine the job impacts in these five industries across states in both the near- and long-term.
More information, including downloadable job growth maps, is available at www.res-alliance.org.
State News
Renewable energy can bring jobs to Iowa
- State News
-
-
Flags ordered at half staff
Gov. Terry Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff from 5 p.m. Friday, January 27, 2012 until 8 a.m. Monday, January 30, 2012, in honor of Marine Corps Master Sgt. Travis Riddick, 40, formerly of Centerville, Iowa.
-
Secretary of State Schultz visits Knoxville
Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz has been in Knoxville today to promote business and jobs, all the while preparing to make a big announcement on Thursday.
-
President Obama's State of the Union speech
The following is the text of President Obama's State of the Union address, delivered last night.
-
Men sentenced for Boswell break-in
David Palmer Dewberry and Cody John Rollins were both sentenced today in Decatur County District Court for crimes committed during the break-in at Congressman Boswell’s farm home near Lamoni last July. -
Statehouse agrees commercial property tax needs reformed
Rep. Jim Van Engelenhoven says members of the House, Senate and Gov. Terry Branstad agree that commercial property taxes need to be reformed. The discussion is how to get all three bodies to agree on how it is done.
-
Iowa Film Critics pick "The Descendants"
The Iowa Film Critics Association has named "The Descendants" as the best movie of 2011.
-
Gosselink seeks House District 28 seat
Len Gosselink announced his candidacy for the new House of Representative seat, District 28. This newly established district includes the southern part of Jasper County, all of Marion County excluding Pella & Lake Prairie Township, and the Seven Eastern Townships of Lucas County.
-
Schrad announces Senate candidacy
Former city manager and community volunteer Dick Schrad announced today that he is running for the Iowa Senate. He will run in District 14, which includes all of Clarke, Decatur, Lucas and Wayne counties; most of Marion County, excluding the city of Pella, and also four townships in southern Jasper County including the towns of Monroe, Reasnor, Sully & Lynnville.
-
Santorum takes Marion County, finishes second behind Romney
Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum won the hearts of most Marion County Republicans, but finished eight votes behind Mitt Romney in the statewide Iowa Caucus.
-
Perry campaigns in Pella
Texas Governor and Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Perry held a town hall meeting at Smokey Row in Pella Wednesday afternoon.
- More State News Headlines
-
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
