Region could benefit from energy-efficient jobs, technology

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   Region could benefit from energy-efficient jobs, technology
   Dec 7, 2008   San Bernardino County Sun   
   Matt Wrye Dec. 7, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Green energy, green technology, green jobs -- you've probably heard about them. But what you may not know: The Inland Empire's economy could turn ripe for all the above. For some business and political leaders, that's a stretch, but others are far more optimistic. With New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson about to become U.S. commerce secretary, certain local business leaders are finding renewed confidence in the two-county region's potential to become the green capital of California. President-elect Barack Obama is charging Richardson -- who was energy secretary under President Bill Clinton -- with fueling the fledgling energy-efficiency movement and creating jobs. That could mean thousands of future jobs related to energy efficiency for the Inland Empire's economy, especially since an economic plan for the two-county region was created by Corona-based Green Valley Initiative and approved by the Commerce Department in October. The approved plan says the organization's member businesses and local governments can apply for federal grants to help fund energy-saving projects. "We believe that a (federal) stimulus package would help fund those grants," said Ali Sahabi, founder of Green Valley Initiative and president and CEO of Corona-based developer-builder SE Corp. Sahabi is optimistic that the Commerce Department's approval will put San Bernardino and Riverside counties ahead of other regions in attracting business players from the energy-efficiency arena. The region, he says, could become California's magnet for companies willing to embark on green business initiatives. Sahabi said the officials from the two-county region have been working with state and federal officials more than from anywhere else in the state to bolster energy-efficient projects. Still, Sahabi admits, "there's a lot to be done." With huge job losses and mounting foreclosures, the Inland Empire is becoming the poster child for what some experts are saying is the nation's worst recession since World War II. But Sahabi says green-energy momentum could create enough jobs to lift residents out of the downturn. Southern California Edison (AMEX:SCE.PR.E) (AMEX:SCE.PR.D) (AMEX:SCE.PR.C) (AMEX:SCE.PR.B) (OOTC:SCEDL) could be providing a model for growth in green jobs. The company is seeking approval from the state Public Utilities Commission for a vast array of solar panels across the rooftops of Southland businesses. Part of that plan became reality last week when Edison turned on thousands of solar panels on top of a warehouse in Fontana. Sahabi is hoping to form an alliance with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office in the next three months to brainstorm financial incentives for businesses that improve their energy efficiency. California has been throwing cash rebates at residential and business customers of the big utility companies for more than a decade, but the money is drying up. "The levels are dropping," said Jessie Parmelee, manager of Upland-based RCC Solar, a solar-panel-installation company. Parmelee doesn't think state lawmakers will reinstate the money when it runs out. "Their point wasn't to go green. It was to eliminate rolling blackouts and to put so many green houses on the (electricity) grid," she said. Sales at the company have tripled since March, which is rare for small businesses in this economy. "I think we have the potential to do that," Parmelee said about the region becoming the state's capital for energy-efficient technology. "But it's a matter of getting everybody on board and getting people to realize this is a long-term investment." Historically, big investments for cutting- edge technology have come through the private sector. Multimillion-dollar aerospace and computer companies turned Los Angeles and Silicon Valley into the high-end job areas they are today. But the Inland Empire boasts few companies like this. "In our region, whose shoulders are we going to stand on?" said Steve PonTell, president of Upland-based La Jolla Institute, which researches economic policy. "What are the (green) industries in our region? Unfortunately, it's not a very long list." PonTell thinks the real test is how the Inland Empire's market for green products and services is responding. He says the most significant developments are industrial buildings that are built according to standards stemming from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design principles created by the U.S. Green Building Council, or buildings that lease roof space to electricity providers. "It makes sense to do solar economically, if we can do it," PonTell said. "You need a region that's embracing those concepts. If this happens naturally, then there's some opportunities to build on it. "Then we would have the building blocks necessary." Leading the charge ABOUT THE INITIATIVE The Green Valley Initiative is a regional effort to establish the Inland Empire as a leader in energy-efficient technologies. MORE INFORMATION www.greenvalleynow.org (951) 667-6210    
Will Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley be the last folks in America to embrace Green Technology?

Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Green Party
Ohio Green Party


www.ohiogreens.org

www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/