Ohio’s Green Energy Economy is Growing with more than 400 Ohio Businesses Contributing
Ohio’s economy is in crisis. Unemployment has reached 8.8 percent. Major employers have laid off hundreds of employees across the state. While every industry has suffered under this economic catastrophe, renewable energy holds great promise to become one of Ohio’s leading economic growth engines during the recovery ahead. By taking advantage of local resources like wind and solar power, Ohio can reduce air pollution, create green energy jobs and grow the economy.
The good news is that Ohio is already part of the way there. With a well-developed industrial backbone, a strong labor force, access to raw materials and nationally recognized higher learning institutions, Ohio is already positioning itself to capitalize on the burgeoning green energy economy.
In March, more than 20 green energy businesses, elected leaders and energy experts stood with Environment Ohio as the nonprofit released a new report Growing Ohio’s Green Energy Economy. The report shows that Ohio is home to more than 440 businesses and research institutions in the solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and fuel cell industries. The report looks at each of these renewable energy industries to show how many businesses and research institutions, and other auxiliary services in Ohio are contributing to growing these green energy sectors.
“Renewable energy has a positive impact on our customers in many ways, touching all aspects of the Triple Bottom Line approach to sustainability: good for People, good for the Planet, and good for Profit,” stated Mark Zappe with Johnson Controls. “At Johnson Controls we support policies that promote clean energy, because an increased demand for renewable energy is good for business and good for Ohio’s economy.”
The report identified more than 60 companies involved in biomass energy, 90 businesses in the geothermal industry, and 115 businesses and research institutions involved in the fuel cell industry. Solar and wind energy were indentified as the two largest green energy sectors. There are more than 220 businesses and research institutions involved in the wind energy supply chain, and 115 involved in solar energy. These companies range from mid-sized solar installation companies, like Dovetail Solar and Wind, to large manufacturing companies, like Cardinal Fastener.
“At Cardinal Fastener, we are thrilled to be involved in manufacturing critical fastener components for the wind turbine industry,” said John W. Grabner the company’s president. “Our company believes, like so many others, that the future for increased renewable energy use is positive for our environment and also good for business. Therefore, three years ago, we became very proactive in approaching this emerging market and have seen significant increases in our business activity with the companies building wind turbines and servicing the industry. In addition, the State of Ohio, with their aggressive renewable energy policies, and other state, regional, and local groups, who have been bringing business to this area, make this an ideal place to have a business.”
The renewable energy legislation passed in Ohio in May 2008 and the recently passed federal economic recovery plan, which included $32 billion for renewable energy, started to lay the groundwork for continued growth in the green energy sectors. However, Environment Ohio has called on Ohio’s leaders to take further policy actions that will reinforce the move to a green energy future.
On the federal level, Environment Ohio urged Congressional leaders to enact a federal renewable electricity standard of 25 percent by 2025 to drive up the demand for renewable energy across the country. Additionally, it urged Congress to put a cap on carbon pollution. The carbon cap could help reduce carbon emission by 35 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.
“We’ve been designing and installing renewable energy systems throughout Ohio for more than 14 years. Recently, we’ve seen a significant increased interest from Ohioans who want to produce their own clean energy, and become more energy independent,” stated Alan Frasz, vice president with Dovetail Solar and Wind. “From our own business experience growing over 240 percent in 2008, it’s clear that renewable energy holds great potential for economic growth and job creation. We urge Congress to pass a federal renewable electricity standard, and put a cap on carbon pollution, to help continue to drive the renewable energy industry in Ohio, while improving our environment.”
“We can reduce pollution, become more energy independent, and grow our economy by passing policies that will drive the renewable energy industry in Ohio,” stated State Rep. Mike Foley (D-Cleveland). “This year I want to put Ohioans back to work installing solar panels all over Ohio. That is why I am working on a bill that would require solar energy panels on public schools across the state.”
“Renewable energy presents Ohio with a unique opportunity to grow our economy by using our state’s existing strengths and resources to build our green energy industries, and I look forward to continuing our work in this area,” stated State Sen. Jon Husted (R-Kettering).
For more information, contact Amy Gomberg at Environment Ohio at 614-460-8732, agomberg@environmentohio.org or visit www.environmentohio.org to download the 55-page report.