The word innovation has always intrigued me, with its promise of both a better tomorrow and reflection of the creative spirit that Montanans’ bring to the table when solving problems.
The promise of innovation was certainly the key takeaway message at an event recently in Helena called “Powering Up: Renewable Energy and its Economic Benefits for Montana.” The conference celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Montana’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by shining a spotlight on the emergence of a renewable energy economy in Montana over the last decade; anchored by the fact that Montana’s RPS requires at least 15 percentage of our energy originate from renewable resources such as wind and solar power. For a state that holds our natural resources to a standard of dollars and sense, that shows progress in the right direction.
In honor of this decade-long investment in a sustainable renewable energy plan, the Bozeman-based firm sciGaia unveiled new data showing just how successful the standard has been during the last 10 years. Their research showed that an average of 100 new wind-powered jobs have been added annually in Montana since 2005, with the same potential for job growth expected through 2020.
Wind energy has added $17 million to the annual gross state product, and the market value of Montana’s wind generation properties is now $1 billion. Further, wind-generated electricity has gone from zero in 2005 to 6.5 percent of the power produced in the state, with rural counties having benefited the most from investments in renewable energy.
But it’s not just environmental groups and renewable energy industry leaders who are taking note of this momentum. Community leaders and elected government officials including our governor are rallying around this idea that investments in energy sources can create good jobs and clean air.
At the conference, Gov. Steve Bullock remarked, “By ultimately working together, we can keep our lands more productive for farming, for ranching for generations to come. We can maintain and even improve our air and water quality without pulling the plug on jobs already in place. And when we build a stronger energy economy, we are building new jobs and opportunities.”
Business for Montana’s Outdoors couldn’t agree more. This is not an either/or discussion that pits renewable and non-renewable energy against each other. It is, and should continue to be, a discussion of how we can advance a future rich in energy potential with resources that keep Montana livable.
That’s a good business model in a state where 73 percent of businesses polled (in a field sample of 200 businesses) say that we can protect land and water and have a strong economy with good jobs at the same time.
It’s often said that to move forward, it is helpful to look back. The last decade of new jobs and investments in renewable energy didn’t just happen. It took a lot of work, incentives, and smart policies to get here. We should be grateful that a former Montana Senate president and now U.S. Sen. Jon Tester created such a strong coalition to help push the Renewable Portfolio Standard through the state Legislature in 2005.
To be sure, there will be challenges ahead of us in order to unlock the full potential of a sustainable energy future in Montana. Even so, the renewable portfolio standard has clearly been a success story and helped Montana position itself for another decade of new jobs and economic growth.
Marne Hayes, director
Business for Montana’s Outdoors