A Clean Energy Economy for States

Arkansas: Analysis of the Rural Economic Development Potential of Renewable Resources

With an abundance of wildlife, hot springs, 600,000 acres of lakes, and almost 10,000 miles of rivers and streams, Arkansas is known as “The Natural State.” Rich in natural resources and fertile land, Arkansas has a historically stable and diverse economy. But the global economic downturn is being felt across the state, with 41,000 jobs lost since the middle of 2008, most of them in rural areas. To secure its economic future, Arkansas has the opportunity to build a strong long-term economy on the solid foundation of its bountiful renewable resources.

The state’s vast areas of productive farmland, ample water, windy heights, and favorable climate combine to give Arkansas the potential to become a national leader in producing the clean energy that America needs. And its dependable workforce and strong business community have the tools for leadership in manufacturing equipment for clean energy industries. Taking advantage of these opportunities in renewable resource development would create tens of thousands of new Arkansas jobs and give a big boost to rural communities across the state.

Instead of importing energy from across the globe, Arkansas could become a key supplier of clean energy and the tools to produce it—provided that national policies are enacted to spur the development of renewable energy resources.

Indiana: Analysis of the Rural Economic Development Potential of Renewable Resources

Indiana's advanced network of rail lines, interstate highways and waterways has made it "The Crossroads of America." But the global economic downturn has hit Indiana hard, causing the loss of almost 200,000 jobs since the beginning of 2008. Facing an unprecedented set of economic challenges, Indiana stands at a new crossroads and is poised for healthy growth if it can take advantage of the enormous potential for development of its exceptional renewable resources.

With some of the world's most productive farmland, ample water and steady winds, Indiana has all the ingredients needed to be at the center of a new energy economy for America. Tapping into this vast reservoir of clean energy would create tens of thousands of high-quality jobs and give a big boost to farm income and rural economies across the state. Policies to spur the development of clean energy resources could position Indiana as a national leader in producing renewable energy, income and jobs, and could export homegrown energy to other states.

Renewable energy production is already one of the nation's fastest growing areas of job creation. A study conducted by the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) of the University of Massachusetts and co-sponsored by NRDC found that clean energy jobs in Indiana grew by almost 18 percent over the 10 years ending in 2007, a period when overall employment in Indiana fell by 1 percent. The study found that investments in clean energy and energy efficiency create, on average, more than three times as many jobs as fossil-fueled energy for every dollar spent. Most of those jobs generate relatively high wages and are spread across a wide range of skill and education levels.

Indiana can be at the center of a new clean energy future for America if the right policies are put in place, starting with a national commitment to reduce emissions of global warming pollution, support energy efficiency and advance development of homegrown renewable energy.

Missouri: Analysis of the Rural Economic Development Potential of Renewable Resources

In this time of global economic adversity, the state of Missouri is facing an unprecedented set of economic and energy challenges. Missouri, however, is also one of the most fertile states for the production of clean energy. Within its borders, dispersed across the state, are vast resources of wind, land, and water—all the ingredients needed for Missouri to become a national leader in new energy development, creating tens of thousands of good jobs and substantial new sources of income for farmers. This June 2009 issue paper examines the potential for renewable energy resource development in Missouri and its benefits to rural communities.

Because of the inextricable link between our energy future and economic future, Congress is considering policies to support the development of a new domestic energy industry based on renewable resources. As part of the 2009 economic stimulus package, Congress extended existing support for renewable electricity sources like wind and solar energy, but that is just the start of what needs to be done.

With the right policies in place, Missouri can be at the heart of a new energy future for America. The development of homegrown renewable energy is the keystone of such policy.

Montana: Building Rural Communities Through Renewable Resources Development

Montana, the fourth-largest state, is known as "Big Sky" country for its extensive vistas. Rich in natural resources and fertile land, Montana has a historically stable and increasingly diverse economy. Montana can use its bountiful renewable resources to build a strong long-term economy and secure a prosperous future for the 21st century. Vast areas of land, a multitude of wind energy sites, and a capable workforce combine to give Montana the potential to become a national leader in producing clean energy.

The global economic downturn has been felt across the state, with the number of unemployed Montanans climbing by 69 percent since the beginning of 2008. Taking advantage of these opportunities for renewable energy development would create tens of thousands of new Montana jobs and give a big boost to rural communities across the state. Instead of sending more Montana dollars out of state to pay for fossil-fueled energy, Montana could become a key supplier of homegrown renewable energy and the tools to produce it -- provided that national policies are enacted to spur the development of clean energy resources.

North Dakota: Analysis of the Rural Economic Development Potential of Renewable Resources