Pew report: clean energy poised for growth in state.(clean-energy economy)(Brief article)

Jobs in Arkansas' clean-energy economy grew more than twice as fast as overall jobs between 1998 and 2007, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts in the most detailed look yet at this sector.

Pew's analysis found that between 1998 and 2007, jobs in Arkansas' clean-energy economy grew at a rate of 7.8 percent, while overall Arkansas jobs grew by 3.5 percent. Arkansas was part of a national trend that saw job growth in the clean-energy economy outperforming overall job growth in 38 states and the District of Columbia over the same period. Nationally, jobs in the clean-energy economy grew at a rate of 9.1 percent while total jobs grew by only 3.7 percent between 1998 and 2007.

"Arkansas' clean-energy economy is just getting started," said Don Richardson, Arkansas representative for the Pew Environment Group. "But between 1998 and 2007, jobs in the state's clean-energy economy grew twice as fast as in the economy overall. The Arkansas Alternative Fuels Development Program has offered millions to businesses to spur investment."

"Our continued work in smart-grid technology, nanotechnology, windmill manufacturing and biomass development will all contribute to further growth in the clean-energy sector and create much-needed jobs for Arkansans," said Gov. Mike Beebe.

In 2007, there were nearly 4,600 jobs in Arkansas' clean-energy economy. Unlike previous studies of the "green economy," Pew's numbers are a hard count of actual jobs, businesses and investments and do not rely on estimates, multipliers or projections.

Venture capital investment in clean technology in Arkansas totaled nearly $23 million over the past three years.

The study is available at www. pewtrusts.org/cleanenergyeconomy.

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