FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:           Neal Lurie, American Solar Energy Society,
303.443.3130 x105; nlurie@ases.org

Renewable Energy Forecast: 40 Million Jobs in U.S.

New report shows potential for renewable energy & energy efficiency
industries to generate $4.5 trillion in revenue in U.S. by 2030

BOULDER, CO – The nation’s first ever comprehensive report on the size of the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries was just released – and the numbers are great news for American workers.

With appropriate public policies, by the year 2030 the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries are poised to generate up to 40 million U.S. jobs.

Even today these industries generate 8.5 million jobs and nearly $1 trillion in revenue in the U.S.

Download the report data: www.ases.org (left side)

The data from this report allows for some of the most accurate renewable energy forecasts yet.

The report was commissioned by the American Solar Energy Society, the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing the U.S. toward a sustainable energy economy. The report was released Thursday at the SOLAR 2007 national solar conference in Cleveland.

“Everyone knew the renewable energy boom was coming, it just showed up sooner than anyone expected,” said Neal Lurie, Director of Marketing of the American Solar Energy Society.

Research was led by internationally renowned energy economist Roger Bezdek, Ph.D., President of Management Information Services, Inc, based in Washington, D.C.

Key findings of the report include:

• By the year 2030, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries could generate up to $4.5 trillion in revenue in the U.S., but only with the appropriate public policy, including a renewable portfolio standard, renewable energy incentives, public education, and R&D

• The 40 million jobs that could be created in renewable energy and energy efficiency by 2030 are not just engineering-related, but also include millions of new jobs in manufacturing, construction, accounting, and management

• Renewable energy and energy efficiency industries today are nearly $1 trillion in revenue in the U.S. generating more than $150 billion in tax revenue at the federal, state, and local levels

• Revenue from the energy efficiency sector -- including from energy efficient windows, appliances, insulation, and recycling -- is currently larger than revenue from renewable energy, but the renewable energy industry is growing much more quickly

• Solar, wind, ethanol, and fuel cells are likely to be some of the hottest areas of growth

You can now download all the data from the initial release of this new report at: www.ases.org (left side of the page.) The full report will be posted by September.

The study will serve as a guide to national, state and local leaders eager to attract renewable energy and energy efficiency businesses and to establish new manufacturing facilities and sales offices.

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About the American Solar Energy Society

Founded in 1954, American Solar Energy Society (ASES) is the nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies in the U.S.  ASES organizes and presents SOLAR 2008, leads the ASES National Solar Tour, and publishes SOLAR TODAY magazine.  Learn more at: www.ases.org

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