Report Shows How Clean Energy Policy Could Create More Than 51,000 Jobs at Existing Ohio Firms

Brown Says Report Shows How Ohio is Poised to Become National Leader in Clean Energy Manufacturing; How Clean Energy Policy Can Revitalize U.S. Manufacturing

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Federal clean energy legislation could create more than 51,000 jobs at existing Ohio manufacturing firms, according to a new report released today. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined labor and clean energy leaders to announce the report, which also shows that Ohio is in the top five states for potential job creation.

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“Clean energy can revitalize U.S. manufacturing, and Ohio companies will lead the way in building the technology of the 21st century,” Brown said. “Clean energy technology utilizes many of the same components manufactured for the auto industry. Done right, clean energy policy will create new demand for Ohio manufacturing. By utilizing our state’s skilled workforce and longstanding auto component supply chain, we can make Ohio the Silicon Valley of Clean Energy Manufacturing.”

Brown joined the Blue Green Alliance and clean energy and labor leaders to outline the new report, Building a Clean Energy Assembly Line: How Renewable Energy Can Revitalize U.S. Manufacturing and the American Middle Class, which shows clean energy policy could create more than 850,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs at existing firms by increasing demand for a clean energy supply chain.

The report, which provides job creation estimates by state and by clean energy source, shows that Ohio ranks fourth among states for total job creation, with 51,269 new jobs created at more than 2,400 existing Ohio manufacturing facilities. The report shows potential manufacturing jobs created through four clean energy sources – wind, solar photovoltaic, geothermal, and biomass –with Ohio ranking in the top ten for all four sources. Ohio ranks in the top five for potential jobs created through wind (29,820 jobs), geothermal (5,079 jobs), and biomass (4,537 jobs) manufacturing and in the top ten for solar photovoltaic manufacturing (11,833 jobs).

Brown was joined today D. Michael Langford, National President, Utility Workers Union of America; David Foster, Executive Director, Blue Green Alliance; and Robert Gramlich, Senior Vice President, Public Policy, American Wind Energy Association.

Recently described as “Congress’ leading proponent of American manufacturing,” Brown has been working with his colleagues to ensure clean energy legislation invests in the competitiveness of American manufacturing and provides support to the regions, industries, and consumers that would be most affected by the legislation.

Brown is the author of the Investments for Manufacturing Progress and Clean Technology (IMPACT) Act of 2009, legislation that was included in the House-passed change legislation that would help transform former auto suppliers and other small-and mid-sized manufacturers to begin to produce clean energy technologies. The bill would establish a $30 billion Manufacturing Revolving Loan Fund to assist small-and medium-sized firms in retooling, expanding or establishing domestic clean energy manufacturing operations, and improving energy efficiency. Currently, 70 percent of America’s clean energy systems and components are produced abroad. This bill would ensure that clean energy jobs are created here in the U.S. by supporting small and medium-size manufacturers’ transition to the clean energy economy. The bill is estimated to have the potential to generate more than $100 billion in revenue for clean energy businesses and create 680,000 direct manufacturing jobs and nearly two million indirect jobs over five years.

Source: Senator Sherrod Brown