Florida has a tremendous opportunity to attract a growing industry to our state that would create high-tech, high-wage jobs and further diversify our economy.
The state Legislature has our future in renewable energy in its hands. Without its quick action, we will miss the best chance we have to capture this promising industry.
The renewable energy industry, unlike many struggling in this economy, is growing in many sectors.
Investors and federal agencies are committing billions to kick-start wind, solar, bio-fuel and other sources. As these markets and the technologies continue to advance, clusters that will literally fuel economies are developing into a sustainable industry.
Savvy states have enacted renewable energy policies that are capturing this early investment, and the sustainable high-wage jobs it is creating. Florida is not.
The renewable energy industry makes a lot of sense for our state’s economic future.
According to a recent Washington Economics
Group study, solar projects alone could create 40,000 jobs in Florida over time and expand total economic activity in the state by $8.1 billion.
But energy companies — whether solar, wind or others — need more than we offer now. A company chooses the site with the best access to its market and low cost of doing business. Without proactive energy programs, Florida is not that site.
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast recently released “Energizing Economic Development and Creating New Jobs from Renewable Energy,” a study that presents data that shows Florida would be a preferred location for energy companies if state policy supported market development.
It cites a recent industry conference where an executive from SolarWorld, which recently opened the largest U.S. solar manufacturing fa||ýPage=099 Column=002 OK,0000.00þ||
cility in Oregon, noted that his company would gladly build a production plant in Florida if there was a known sustainable demand.
Our pro-business environment, the availability of a highly skilled workforce and potential partnerships with world-class higher education institutions create the right framework to grow rapidly expanding renewable energy sectors. It’s just not enough to close the big deals.
Economic developers around the state are at a disadvantage as long as other state legislatures are giving their communities the tools they need to lure energy jobs.
Foreign companies looking to establish a U.S. presence and domestic firms seeking to expand are paying special attention to states where programs are currently in place. High-value, renewable energy projects are already being won by Oregon, New Jersey and Arizona in part because of their aggressive renewable energy policies.
If we hope to attract this industry — along with the jobs and investment that it brings — the Legislature needs to act now with a special session to develop a joint resolution to adopt a renewable energy policy during the 2011 legislative session.
Time is running out.
Weatherman is president & CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.
