Bright Spots: Solar Rates Down, Green Jobs up In Mass.
It’s been a banner month for Massachusetts’ clean energy community. For both Mass-based renewable energy companies—and businesses targeting and investing in the state—there have been several bright spots.
Greentech Media highlighted a report out from the Mass Clean Energy Center shows the state created more than 70,000 green jobs in the past four years—making it the highest per capita in the country—as well as massive growth in solar installations.
Additionally, earlier this week, Solarize Mass announced that Boston residents and businesses can qualify for solar energy rates that are lower than traditional sources.
Not bad for a state with a former Governor, and GOP presidential nominee, who is pushing a U.S. energy platform that calls for more fossil fuel production and less regulation.
But in all seriousness, Massachusetts has always been at the forefront of the clean energy economy, regardless of who’s in the governor’s seat. (Luckily, however, current Governor Deval Patrick has put the state on track to achieve an aggressive goal of 250 megawatts of solar by 2017.)
Innovative, forward-thinking and committed individuals have pushed to get the right policies and legislation to foster the industry. The result is a boom not just for clean energy—but for the job market overall.
What’s this all mean from a PR perspective? For starters, solar providers serving the state need to step up education and awareness programs, public relations efforts and stakeholder engagement programs to make sure their target customers understand the tremendous opportunity with the locked in solar prices (ending September 30).
It also means businesses employing and hiring green jobs in the state can capitalize on trend stories covering their contribution to the sizable clean energy economy.
Finally, it’s a sign that Massachusetts is listening—and that there are more opportunities for businesses looking to locate or work with state-based agencies and legislatures—all of whom have shown a strong commitment to the industry.
Posted by Erin DelLlano on August 31, 2012 at 10:56 AM
