California Leads the Nation In Developing a Clean Energy Economy

When it comes to developing a clean energy economy, California is the clear leader, according to a report sponsored by the Portland Development Commission and Business Oregon. The most populous state ranked number one in almost every category mentioned in the report. Although the report touts Oregon’s efforts to develop a clean energy economy (ranking in the top six in almost every category), California is the state that stands out.

Many states have developed renewable energy portfolio standards (RPS), and California’s is the most ambitious with 33 percent by 2020. Colorado’s RPS ranks number two with 30 percent by 2020, and Oregon ranks number three with 25 percent by 2025.

When it comes to clean energy capacity, California is in the top spot. During the first half of 2011, 2,151 megawatts (MW) of new wind capacity were brought online, according to the American Wind Energy Association, a 72 percent increase from the first half of 2010. California added the most with 420 MW during the second quarter of last year, and Oregon came in second place with 201 MW.

Two other states rank high in wind capacity. Texas dominates in cumulative wind capacity with 10,085 MW installed through 2010, and Iowa leads the nation in wind as a share of total capacity with 25.2 percent of its peak capacity.

With California’s abundant sunshine, it come as little surprise that the state is home to almost half of the nation’s solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity.

California ranks first in total LEED-certified projects with 1,081 at the end of 2010. However, Oregon ranks number one in LEED-certified projects per capita, with 231 projects at the end of 2010.

It takes investment to develop a clean energy economy, and California leads the nation in attracting clean energy venture capital (VC) with over $8.6 billion through 2010. Massachusetts comes in second with $1.2 billion, and Colorado in third with $730 million.

One area that California does not rank number one is the annual number of clean energy patents granted in the U.S. Michigan is the leader with 1,024 total patents, followed by California with 720. From 2002 to 2010, the annual number of clean energy patents granted in the U.S. increased from 370 to 890 for a total of 4,377. The 890 patents granted in 2010 were an annual record, and an 80.5 percent increase from 2009.

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Photo credit: Flickr user, ab9kt

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

James B.

4:16AM PST on Jan 11, 2012

The "Penny Medical" is quite popular in California and New York. For example it offers the low income health plan. Also offers health insurance for individual with pre-exisiting conditions.

January 11
send a green star

Roger M.

10:49AM PST on Jan 9, 2012

Well done, California. Everyone else, catch up, please.

January 9
send a green star

Karen G.

6:38AM PST on Jan 9, 2012

Good job, CA, but in the rush to be #1, there have been mistakes made. The Altamont Pass wind farm has the highest number of raptor kills in the country, and they have not yet replaced all the older turbines that are responsible. And now I've read that they are going to build another wind farm that could threaten the Condor. Please, everyone, stay informed on this issue and make your voice heard for wildlife.

Winn A.

5:45PM PST on Jan 8, 2012

Thanks for the info.

January 8
send a green star

Susy L.

9:09AM PST on Jan 8, 2012

thanks

Waltraud U.

5:37AM PST on Jan 8, 2012

Thank you for the article. Is good - and then ....

jayasri a.

4:47AM PST on Jan 8, 2012

Nice article,thank you

Mark S.

2:40AM PST on Jan 8, 2012

We need to stop depending on oil. The pollution and the prices are too high. Clean energy is the way to go, solar, wind, geothermal, etc.
However, our government is owned by the oil companies and also get rich off them. The politicians are not going to cut their own throats and go for clean energy. If I could afford the equipment, I'd use ALL clean energy.

Cody L.

12:46PM PST on Jan 7, 2012

Crazy how much money is spent subsidizing oil and on the military to protect our access to oil.
Go Cali!