A report from Berkeley, Calif.-based Strategen Consulting says California Gov. Jerry Brown's clean energy goals for 2030 are not only achievable and economically sound, but will generate significant job growth.
According to the report, Brown's plan, which was announced in his inaugural address earlier this year, will create 1.2 million job-years in construction, manufacturing, sales, service and support related to California's new domestic energy infrastructure, as well as through the economic activity resulting from energy savings. The associated reduction in pollution will save lives, reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of life, Strategen says.
California is already on track to generate 33% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Meeting the 50% renewables target set out for 2030 will require the continuation of solar and wind installations at similar rates for another 10 years, while adding complementary resources – such as energy storage – to assist with renewable resource integration.
The report says benefits derived from Brown's plan include the following:
- $51 billion in annual savings from 2030 on;
- CO2 emissions will drop by over 102 million tons per year, a reduction of 42% from 2015 levels;
- 739 fewer deaths each year due to emissions reductions;
- 870,000 job-years created in the wind and solar sectors by 2030 – up from 44,700 today;
- Enhanced grid efficiency, reliability and resiliency from renewable resources backed by energy storage; and
- Significantly less vulnerability to fossil fuel price volatility.
The report says that a consistent and predictable policy environment is also needed to attract the private investment that will enable California to implement its ambitious future energy infrastructure.
‘This analysis describes in clear, quantitative terms how Governor Brown's vision will translate to an enormous benefit in so many areas critical to public health, economic stability, energy security and quality of life,’ says Janice Lin, founder and managing partner of Strategen Consulting.
The report, ‘Impact Analysis: Governor Brown's 2030 Energy Goals,’ is available here.
