Check it out…

If you’re interested in the fun facts that make the case for aggressively pursuing a clean energy, good jobs economy, see “Green-Collar Jobs: What we know so far.” Heidi Pickman, the Apollo Alliance communications associate, did some nifty research about clean energy jobs, where they exist now, and where the sector is heading.  Her piece is the first contribution to the new Data Points section of the Web site.

More Data Points will soon follow that document one of the fastest growing industrial sectors in the United States and the world.  Did you know, for example, that the United States is now the largest market for wind power generating equipment in the world? Or that venture capitalists invested $625 million in the first quarter of 2008 on “clean tech,” which includes renewable energy. That puts the category fourth in total investment behind life sciences ($2.3 billion), biotech ($1.27 billion) and software ($1.26 billion).  My friends in the venture capital world tell me that Congress better renew those alternative energy tax credits or the surge in investment could diminish.

Also check out…

20% Wind Energy by 2030
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Report
from the U.S. Department of Energy

Please visit ApolloAlliance.org for more Green Collar Resources

The PacWind SeaHawk vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) is being donated by the Energy Management Group to UH Manoa for installation on the roof of Saunders Hall, home to the Sustainable Saunders Initiative – a collaborative effort among faculty and students to pursue workplace sustainability.

“This is a small demonstration and testing site that is vital to move UH Manoa to the forefront of research and education in these fields”, said Professor David Nixon, chair of the Steering Committee for the Sustainable Saunders Initiative and Professor in the Social Sciences Public Policy Center.

“We’re grateful and excited about this incredible new technology,” said Shanah Trevenna, student coordinator for the Initiative.

Richard Figliuzzi, President of Energy Management Group noted that, “We’re pleased to support the Sustainable Saunders Initiative. It’s a great opportunity to contribute to a program with the viable prospect of substantial outcomes including education for tomorrow’s leaders, research and renewable energy for UH Manoa in a rigorous physical and intellectual environment. We’ll be gaining valuable real-world experience with our vertical axis wind turbine. After our study, there is the prospect that the educational-scale program can likely be ‘scaled-up’ to match facility-scale specifications.”

Original link to official press release:
http://www.hawaii.edu/cgi-bin/uhnews?20080227114112