The net number of new jobs added to the economy from renewable energy may be less than the types of numbers reported in this article because if using renewable energy increases the cost of energy (and it most likely will, at least in the short to medium run), that could result in job losses elsewhere in the economy. One example of job losses would be in energy-intensive industries — they might simply move more production to countries (or states) where energy is less expensive (and most likely comes from non-renewable sources).

However, in the current economic environment, I suspect that the number of net new jobs will still be positive. Right now we have no lack of capital — interest rates are very low. The problem right now is that businesses don’t have any clear sense of what to spend on. Even if we just had a program to dig and refill holes in the ground, it would create more jobs. So giving businesses a clear incentive to build renewable energy facilities most likely will create new jobs so long as the economy is depressed. Once the economy returns to normal, however, there’s a good chance that the net effect of cap and trade or a carbon tax on job creation might be zero or even negative. I would still support such policies because of the advantages in terms of climate and energy independence, but at that point, job creation could no longer be listed as an advantage of the policy.

The net number of new jobs added to the economy from renewable energy may be less than the types of numbers reported in this article because if using renewable energy increases the cost of energy (and it most likely will, at least in the short to medium run), that could result in job losses elsewhere in the economy. One example of job losses would be in energy-intensive industries — they might simply move more production to countries (or states) where energy is less expensive (and most likely comes from non-renewable sources).

However, in the current economic environment, I suspect that the number of net new jobs will still be positive. Right now we have no lack of capital — interest rates are very low. The problem right now is that businesses don’t have any clear sense of what to spend on. Even if we just had a program to dig and refill holes in the ground, it would create more jobs. So giving businesses a clear incentive to build renewable energy facilities most likely will create new jobs so long as the economy is depressed. Once the economy returns to normal, however, there’s a good chance that the net effect of cap and trade or a carbon tax on job creation might be zero or even negative. I would still support such policies because of the advantages in terms of climate and energy independence, but at that point, job creation could no longer be listed as an advantage of the policy.

i completely agree, but very well said!

i completely agree, but very well said!

I’d also like to add that had we done this 30 years ago, we could have been benefiting from this reinvestment over that entire time period. There is no telling how much better we’d be from generating our own electricity today, not worrying so much about global warming, and likely dominating the world in production of green technologies. And, in fact, we were pushing green energy during the Carter administration. But, when Reagan came into office, we completely dismantled the programs encouraging green investment… Yay Reagan, our greatest president ever!

I’d also like to add that had we done this 30 years ago, we could have been benefiting from this reinvestment over that entire time period. There is no telling how much better we’d be from generating our own electricity today, not worrying so much about global warming, and likely dominating the world in production of green technologies. And, in fact, we were pushing green energy during the Carter administration. But, when Reagan came into office, we completely dismantled the programs encouraging green investment… Yay Reagan, our greatest president ever!