Green energy creates jobs

The following letter to the editor from Eric Cotton appeared in the Muncie Star Press on June 16, 2009, in response to a letter to the editor from Shirley Reese which appeared on June 8, 2009.

Muncie Star Press

June 16, 2009

Green energy creates jobs

by ERIC COTTON, ECI Wind and Solar LLC, Fairmount

Recently, Shirley Reese asked in her letter, "Green has a cost," what the bottom line is for green jobs and renewable energy. As a partner with ECI Wind and Solar, let me provide some business insights.

The bottom line is energy that comes from the sun, wind, biomass, and geothermal heat is free forever -- after you invest in the capital needed to harness it. It's also inherently domestic, so jobs and revenue stay local.

As for oil and coal: No one is saying these absolutely cannot be used. In fact, our electricity demand grows by 1 percent per month in the U.S. Even with rapid and aggressive deployment of renewable energy sources, we will struggle to keep up with our increase in demand. Coal and other traditional energy resources will still be in our energy portfolio.

To make these sources viable, we need to close the carbon loophole that allows the fossil fuel industry to displace the economic impacts of their pollution onto the taxpayer -- and we do pay dearly, both in public health costs and diminished ecosystem services.

As for jobs, the bottom line is that renewable energy -- and energy efficiency -- creates at least twice as many jobs per megawatt and per dollar as fossil fuels. Much of renewable energy is manufactured and installed: There are just inherently more man-hours involved than in traditional energy sources. While Mike Pence is decrying the costs of renewable energy, renewable energy is creating jobs right here in Muncie via Brevini.

Eric Cotton is a partner in ECI Wind and Solar in Fairmount. He is a founding member of the Indiana Renewable Energy Association and currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. Cotton can be reached at 765-702-0231 or eric@eciwindandsolar.com.

June 8, 2009

Green has a cost

by SHIRLEY REESE, Selma

I read in the paper that State Sen. Sue Errington, D-Muncie, and the liberal activist group MoveOn.org are pals. They are putting forth the idea that we must have clean energy jobs. Please explain to me what are these clean energy jobs and how much is it going to cost Muncie and Indiana? How many jobs will be lost when green jobs are created?

Congresswoman Michele Bachman says green jobs mean jobs lost. Spain found that for every green job created, 2.2 jobs were lost.

What are the hidden costs? I would be interested in knowing because we have learned that there are always repercussions when organizations like MoveOn.org are involved. Their agenda is always couched in attractive language such as "creating incentives, and renewable energy standards for American businesses," (laws and mandates). What is the bottom line?

The Windy City of Chicago might look good with a windmill on every block, but Indiana? No one seems to want a field of ghostly, noisy windmills in their back yards.

The Star Press article said they want to hear from ordinary Hoosiers. I'm asking the senator and MoveOn.org why can't all forms of energy be used? What is wrong with drilling for oil and using the clean coal methods that we have?

I will contact my representative, but it won't be Evan Bayh. I'll be contacting Mike Pence. I am getting sick of the term "green." It used to be a favorite color, but not any more.