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Executive Summary
Ohio’s economy is in crisis. Unemployment has reached 9.4 percent, a 25-year high. Major employers, such as DHL, Longaberger, and Limited Brands, have laid off hundreds of employees across the state.
While every industry has suffered under this economic catastrophe to some extent, 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. This report evaluates the contribution renewable energy is already making to Ohio’s economy, and points toward the potential for future growth.
Ohio is home to more than 440 businesses and research institutions in the solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and fuel cell industries.
• There are more than 115 businesses and research institutions involved in the solar energy supply chain in Ohio. These companies range from small solar installation companies, to businesses that employ nearly 700 people. In the Toledo area alone more than 6,000 people work in the solar industry.
• More than 220 businesses and research institutions are involved in Ohio’s wind energy supply chain, and more than 1,000 companies have been identified as eligible to transition into manufacturing components for the wind energy supply chain. This is especially remarkable given that only four large scale wind turbines have been installed in Ohio as of the end of 2008.
• More than 60 businesses and research institutions in Ohio that are involved in the biomass industry and over 1,300 wood manufacturing companies in Ohio produce residues that are capable of being converted into biomass energy.
• More than 90 businesses and research institutions in Ohio are involved in the geothermal industry. Studies estimate that Ohio could generate more than 1,800 jobs from geothermal development.
• More than 115 businesses and research institutions in Ohio are involved in the fuel cell industry. Every 1,000 MW of energy built from fuel cells creates approximately 5,000 jobs.
• More than 60 organizations are involved in providing auxiliary services to these renewable energy industries. These services include consulting, legal, non-profit, and trade associations.
• Ohio’s Department of Development estimates that there are already over 60,000 specialized workers supporting the state’s advanced energy industries.
These renewable energy industries give vitality to Ohio’s economy. The improvements made in the 2008 state energy policy and the recently passed federal economic recovery plan, which included $32 billion for renewable energy, have helped to lay the ground work for continued growth in the green energy sectors. Ohio’s leaders should take further policy actions that will reinforce the move to a green energy future.
Now, Ohio’s leaders, at both the state and federal levels, should take the next steps to grow Ohio’s green energy industries that will create jobs, grow our economy, and reduce pollution.
On the federal level, Ohio’s Congressional leaders should:
• Enact a federal renewable electric ity standard of 25 percent by 2025 that will drive up the demand for renewable energy across the country.
• Enact a federal cap and trade policy that will capture the cost of carbon emissions, and put renewable energy resources on a level playing field with fossil fuels. This policy should reduce global warming pollution by 35% by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
On the state level, Ohio’s leaders should continue to pass policies that show our state’s dedication to renewable energy. Ohio’s state leaders should:
• Extend and increase the Ohio Advanced Energy Fund, which issues grants and loans for renewable energy installations and energy efficiency improvements.
• Support a Solar Schools Initiative that would install solar panels on every public school within five years. Additionally, the state should remove any barriers to solar installations on schools, homes and businesses.
• Upgrade Ohio’s tax structure to account for renewable energy production through fair and equitable taxes which will encourage renewable energy development and benefit all Ohioans.
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