Elusive Goal of Greening U.S. Energy
By STEVEN GREENHOUSE, Dec 2, 2009
The Great Green Hope for lifting America’s economy is not looking so robust.
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Growth in clean energy industries and in green jobs has been considerably slower and bumpier than anticipated, industry experts say.
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Last week, the Gamesa wind turbine plant in western Pennsylvania announced it was laying off nearly half its 280 workers. Last month, General Electric said it would close a solar panel factory in Delaware
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There are myriad reasons why green jobs have grown more slowly than hoped. The clean energy component of the $787 billion stimulus package has only recently started to kick in. Energy experts say that banks, which have been reluctant to lend generally, have been especially loath to lend for alternative energy projects.And renewable-energy companies are hesitating to invest in new plants and equipment before Congress enacts new environmental mandates, like cap and trade, to limit carbon emissions.
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