Submitted by Jeanne Steffener, Tulalip Tribes Higher ED
Globally, countries are very concerned with reducing imported fossil fuel use. They are searching for ways to promote the use of domestic green energy resources because of the increasing danger of climate change. Renewable energies, such as wind, solar, geothermal and bioenergy are mushrooming businesses that will thrust us into the new Green Economy. Renewable energy is extremely important because it provides big benefits for our climate, our health and our economy in these forms: minimal or no global warming emission; improved public health and environmental quality; inexhaustible energy supply; jobs and other economic benefits; stable energy prices and a more reliable energy source.
Businesses sympathetic to environmental concerns are creating a whole range of environmentally friendly jobs. We are seeing this growth evidenced in an increase of solar panel installation for businesses and houses, wind energy harnessed east of the Cascades with the windmills erected along the horizons, grocery stores are offering more organic green options throughout their stores, hybrid and electric cars becoming more mainstream. Automobile manufacturers are discontinuing inefficient gas driven models and moving toward the electric/hybrid models. We are noticing more “electric stations” in town and in our travels. This is the beginning of the green revolution. Job creation in the wind energy industry is employing full-time employees in a variety of occupations including manufacturing, project development, construction, turbine installation, operations, maintenance, transportation, logistics, financial, legal, and consulting services. There are over 500 factories in the United States manufacturing parts for wind turbines. The solar industry employs approximately 374,000 people in either full or part-time jobs, in solar manufacturing, installation, and sales and marketing positions. The renewable energy sector now includes these other forms of green energy: hydro energy, ocean energy, and bio-energy employing even more workers. Clean energy is a huge opportunity to revive manufacturing in this country. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “3,384,834 Americans are directly employed by the clean energy industry which includes the energy efficiency, smart grid, and energy storage industries; electric power generation from renewables; renewable fuels production; and the electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-based vehicle industries”.
In addition to creating new jobs, increasing our use of renewable energy offers other important economic development benefits. Local governments are able to collect property and income taxes from renewable energy project owners. This revenue supports public services that are vital to the community. Many of these projects are being located in rural areas where jobs are a huge need.
Owners of the lands where wind projects are located receive lease payments for power line easements or road right-away. Another possibility of payment can be earning royalties based on the project’s annual revenues. Other ways that farmers can generate supplemental income is through renewable energy production by producing feedstock for biomass power facilities.
Clean energy careers involve jobs created by energy conservation, alternative energy development, pollution reduction and recycling. A number of colleges and universities are now offering specializations and degree programs in clean energy resource areas. Community colleges are a good resource for certificates and 2-year degrees offering clean energy qualifications. One of the best resources for information on renewable/clean energy education and careers is located at the U.S. Department of Energy’s website: http://energy.gov/eere/education/colleges-and-universities.
Are you interested in discovering more about the green energy revolution? Just pick up your phone and contact the Higher Education Department for more information. You can either call us at 360-716-4888 or email us at highered@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov.