The post North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association’s 2012 Clean Energy Census Shows Economic Growth appeared first on Environmental Sustainability Resource Center.
A new statewide survey of over 1,100 North Carolina clean energy companies finds that the clean energy sector is a growing economic force in North Carolina contributing over $3.7 billion in revenue and more than 15,200 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs directly from activities in clean energy. For infrastructure, the state is home to over 38,000 Energy Star homes, 2,100 energy efficient commercial buildings, and more than 3,000 planned or installed renewable energy systems. Yet despite the clean energy industry’s recent growth in North Carolina, including more than 200 companies serving national and international markets, business leaders feel that the industry in North Carolina is at a crossroad. Political polarization, policy and market uncertainty and limited access to finance all pose substantial threats to the continued growth of North Carolina’s clean energy economy. These and other important economic findings are detailed in the 2012 North Carolina Clean Energy Industries Census released October 11 by the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA). Link to the full 2012 North Carolina Clean Energy Industries Report.
“Despite our state’s on-going high unemployment rate and tough economic times, North Carolina’s clean energy industry continues to grow and add new jobs and investments in every region,” said Ivan Urlaub, NCSEA’s Executive Director. “North Carolina is distinctly positioned as a clean energy leader in the Southeast, but maintaining this leadership role – and becoming a national and global leader – will require additional policy and market advancements; otherwise, we’ll be left behind as other US states step up and compete for the lead.”
