Study: Central Valley Can Become An Economic Leader In Renewable
Energy
With energy supply a worldwide concern, a new study released on
April 9th by the Great
Valley Center suggests the Great Central Valley is primed to
be a key player in the race to develop profitable, renewable forms
of energy.
According to the report, Renewable Energy: Strategic Opportunities
for the Great Central Valley, the 450-mile long Central Valley
possesses an abundance of untapped natural assets essential to the
production of renewable energy. Citing resources such as near year-round
sun, wind currents and the availability of methane-rich animal waste
produced by local dairies, the study concludes that the Valley could
actually emerge as a leader in the development, use and sale of
renewable energy and related products and services.
“The Valley has an exciting opportunity to be a leader in
renewable energy,” said Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa).
“Government policies and financial incentives — not to
mention rising costs of traditional energy sources — are making
renewable energy options more attractive.”
 The
study describes a promising approach for the region to achieve a
double payoff: using renewable energy to improve economic vitality
while addressing challenging environmental concerns.
According to the report, the urgent need to address environmental
impacts provides an additional incentive to expand the development
and use of renewable energy. Converting animal and plant waste,
such as rice straw for example, into energy instead of using other
means of disposal would improve both the economic bottom-line of
agricultural operations and the environmental quality of surrounding
communities.
"The combination of the Valley’s natural assets and urgent
economic needs, along with the availability of already-proven technologies
and growing government incentives, is a strong case for pursuing
this path," said John Melville, Director of Collaborative
Economics.
Based on research and discussions with business, agricultural and
technology leaders, the study was prepared by Collaborative Economics
for the Great Valley Center's New Valley Connexions program. The
full report is available at the Great
Valley Center.
Great Valley Center and New Valley Connexions:
http://
www.greatvalley.org/
911 13th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
(209) 522-5103
info@greatvalley.org
Collaborative Economics:
http://www.coecon.com/
785 Castro Street, Suite A, Mountain View, CA 94041
(650) 404-8120
info@coecon.com
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