Green jobs' growth potential is limited, economist cautions

DesMoinesRegister.com
By PHILIP BRASHER • pbrasher@dmreg.com • January 16, 2010

Ethanol production and wind-turbine manufacturing have been two of the biggest sources of new green jobs in Iowa, but the state's biggest growth opportunity may be in research and development, an economist said.

David Swenson, an economic development specialist at Iowa State University, said that ethanol production is leveling off and that there is stiff competition among states for manufacturing of wind turbine parts. Meanwhile, wind farms make little dent in employment because they require relatively few people for maintenance.

Iowa had 1,308 jobs in ethanol production in 2008, up from 141 in 2003, according to a study coordinated by Iowa Workforce Development. The turbine manufacturing sector grew from 136 in 2003 to 1,101 in 2008. By comparison, 82 people were listed as working in alternative power generation, including wind, in 2008. That's even though the state ranked No. 2 in its wind-generation capacity, which grew nearly six-fold from 2003 to 2008.

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