Currents

An Energy Newsletter for Local Governments

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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