Where the Jobs Are (But Not the Politicians)

A spate of recent studies have underscored the job-creation potential of clean technology -- and demonstrate why more cities and states are vying to become clean-tech hubs.

One study, Creating the California Cleantech Cluster, from the Natural Resources Defense Council and Environmental Entrepreneurs, says that venture capital interest in such environmentally friendly technologies as clean energy, clean water, and alternative transportation has surged in the last several years as advances in technologies have lowered costs, bringing many innovative products into the economic mainstream.

As investor and consumer interest in clean technology grows, says the report, California stands to benefit because the state's thriving technology base, abundant business talent, access to capital, and proactive environmental policies make it a natural home for new businesses in this industry. Last year, the state received $339 million in venture capital clean-tech investment, more than any other U.S. state or region.

Another new report, from Westart-Calstart, a nonprofit organization that works with the public and private sectors to develop advanced transportation technologies, was similarly bullish in a new report on California’s Clean Vehicle Industry. It takes a snapshot of companies currently involved in or capable of producing technologies that can reduce global warming pollution in vehicles. It examines the core skills needed to design and produce these technologies, outlines the potential size of the market for products that reduce such emissions, and then surveys a cross section of those companies to find what impact increased requirements to reduce the emissions in vehicles will have on their operations.

Both reports see the potential for clean-technology “clusters” like those in Silicon Valley (high-tech), Napa and Sonoma Counties (wine), and Southern California (entertainment).

Of course, California is not alone in trying to attract this coveted engine for innovation and business creation. Other states and regions are reaching out to become clean-tech Meccas. For example, Michigan announced recently that it is trying to target clean-tech companies. And Ohio just unveiled a Fuel Cell Road Map, a five-year plan to make the state a leader in the fuel cell industry. These states follow the leads of Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington, and several other states. Plus, Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and other cities.

You’d think such a perfect green storm -- the ability to create new businesses and jobs to mass produce technological solutions that stand to engender energy independence and increase national security while reducing such pressing environmental problems as global warming -- would be a seductive political issue during this election season. But neither George Bush or John Kerry has bothered to go there.

Apparently, the pollsters have told them that jobs, economic development, energy independence, national security, and clean air aren’t that important to Americans in 2004. Is it too late to tell them otherwise?