QUICK NEWS, January 17: New Energy’s Fight Against Climate Change Won’t Be Done; New Energy Jobs Leapt Again Last Year; Nebraska Gets Wind Power Economy Bump

New Energy’s Fight Against Climate Change Won’t Be Done Not even Trump can easily reverse our progress on climate change

David Ignatius, January 16, 2017 (Washington Post)

“…[The progress made in the fight against climate change by the Obama administration is probably irreversible, according to] eparting Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz…[R]egardless of the policies adopted by Donald Trump, who has expressed skepticism about climate science and government efforts to cut emissions…Clean-energy technologies have become much cheaper and more efficient…and the global market for them will lure U.S. companies. Utility and manufacturing industry executives, who have to plan investments on 30-year time horizons, aren’t likely to make long-term bets on high-carbon projects…[Moniz is] a nuclear physicist for MIT who has been involved in government energy projects for two decades. His designated successor, former Texas governor Rick Perry, has no comparable educational or business background that would equip him for the job…[The Energy Department just] released several studies that underline his argument that climate-change progress is being driven by the market rather than government…” click here for more

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New Energy Jobs Leapt Again Last Year U.S. Solar Employment Jumped 25% In 2016, Says DOE Study

Joseph Bebon, January 13, 2017 (Solar Industry)

"...[The wind industry added 25,000 jobs in 2016 and the solar industry added 73,000, according to a new report from] the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)…6.4 million Americans now work in the [fossil, nuclear, and renewable energy and energy efficiency industries, which last year] added over 300,000 net new jobs in 2016 – representing 14% of the nation’s job growth…[Energy efficiency jobs, which increased by 133,000 to a total of 2.2 million, cover] the “production of energy-saving products and the provision of services that reduce end-use energy consumption”…[The wind industry] employs a total of 101,738 workers, which represents a 32% increase since 2015…[The solar industry includes] 373,807 Americans who ‘spend some portion of their time working to install, distribute or provide professional services to solar technologies.’ Like wind, construction/installation represents the biggest employment share…” click here for more

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Nebraska Gets Wind Power Economy Bump Wind Farms Give Economic Boost To Northeast Nebraska

Ariana Brocius, January 17, 2017 (Nebraska Public Radio)

“…Nebraska’s wind development often happens around farm-towns…And it can be good for a small town economy. Each project employs hundreds of construction workers who spend money on food and gas. Wind company Invenergy’s three Prairie Breeze wind farms have created 18 permanent jobs in nearby Elgin. That number will nearly double once their newest Antelope County wind farm comes online…Wind companies pay millions in local taxes. The school district in Elgin has received more than $430,000 in the last two years, letting them ask less from other taxpayers. Wind companies also pay millions in leases to landowners who allow [properly sited] turbines to be built on their property…Those local taxes and landowner payments should continue as long as the wind turbines keep operating…[Publicized concerns about wind development ease] as the economic benefits become more noticeable over the long term…” click here for more

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