September 8, 2004
Renewable Electricity
Standard Can Produce 6,700 Jobs and
Save Oregon Consumers $620 million,
New Analysis Finds Oregon Could Tap Into Massive Economic Potential and
Protect Resources with Renewable Energy
PENDLETON, OREGON
— A
national renewable electricity standard of 20 percent
by 2020 would produce more than 6,700 jobs in Oregon,
according to a new study released today by the
Union of Concerned Scientists. A national standard
would require that 20 percent of our nation's electricity
come from clean renewable sources such as wind,
biomass, and solar energy, and would create 1.3
times more jobs in Oregon than generating electricity
from fossil fuels. Development of renewable energy
would also provide a significant source of new
income for Oregon's rural communities from capital
investment and direct payments, the study found.
“This study shows that investing
our policy efforts into renewable energy can provide
the state with needed jobs, safe and reliable domestic
energy sources, while ensuring cleaner air and
water for everyone,” said Dr. Don Wysocki,
Associate Professor of Extension Soil Science with
the Columbia Basin Agricultural Research Center,
Pendleton office. “Rural Oregon is looking
at the potential for growth in renewable energy
in this region with great excitement.”
A national renewable electricity
standard would also save Oregon’s consumers
$620 million on their energy bills through 2020.
Nationally, the consumer savings would be more
than $49 billion. The national standard achieves
these cost savings primarily by reducing the demand
for—and the price of—natural gas.
“Renewable energy is not a
partisan issue," said Don Coats, a wheat farmer
along the Columbia River near Rufus. "The
issue is cut and dry - renewable energy solutions
are good for everyone. Renewable energy equals
economic growth.”
The analysis found that by 2020,
a national 20 percent renewable electricity standard
would produce benefits for Oregon such as:
- A net gain of 1,520 new high-skilled
jobs in manufacturing, construction, operation,
maintenance, and other industries
- $2.5 billion in capital investment
- $180 million in property tax
revenues for rural communities
- $131 million in income for farmers,
ranchers, and rural landowners from producing
biomass energy supplies and wind power leases.
- 1.3 times more jobs than
new natural gas and coal power plants would
create
“Oregon can use renewable energy
sources such as solar and wind energy, to produce
jobs, save consumers money on their energy bills
and enhance public health, said Jeff Deyette, Energy
Analyst with the Union of Concerned Scientists. “Oregon
can harness its tremendous renewable energy potential
to provide benefits for the entire state.”
A copy of Renewing Oregon's Economy
can be found on the web at: www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy
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Related Links
Northwest Sustainable Energy for
Economic Development (NWSEED) works to mobilize
consumers and maximize the benefits of “home-grown” renewable
resources. For more on Northwest SEED, visit www.nwseed.org
Northwest SEED worked alongside
of its parter the Union of Concerned Scientists
to release this report. Visit their website at www.ucsusa.org
