Capture the wind in Ohio

The wind industry is thriving in Ohio. Ohio joined forces this week with other states committed to wind energy development at the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) WINDPOWER 2008 conference.

"Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland signed legislation creating a real market for renewable energy in Ohio and aggressively positioning Ohio manufacturers to compete in the growing wind energy market," said AWEA Manager of State Legislation Hans Detweiler.

Ohio's renewable portfolio legislation, passed in May 2008, requires all publicly owned utilities serving the state of Ohio to generate 12.5 percent of electricity from renewable energy sources, such as wind, by 2025.

Ohio's wind volume is ideally positioned for energy delivery to major markets in eastern North America. Currently, three companies are developing projects in the state: EverPower Renewables, Invenergy and JW Great Lakes Wind.

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Economic Transformation

Ohio is going through quite an economic transformation—traditional manufacturing jobs are giving way to a new generation of workers sometimes referred to as "green collar" workers.

In order to make this transition, these more traditionally-trained workers are using their years of expertise in industries like automotive to make a foray into the green collar workforce.

Northwest Ohio is a great example of a region shedding its "Glass City" image and making great strides to transition into an emerging advanced energy industry. You may have seen some of the recent coverage in the Wall Street Journal and Newsweek.

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The Real Impact

A recent report released by the American Solar Energy Society predicts that as many as 175,000 Ohioans could have jobs related to advanced, renewable energy by 2030.

Through initiatives such as Ohio Governor Ted Strickland's Energy, Jobs and Progress plan, announced in 2007, Ohio is modernizing its energy infrastructure, ensuring affordable and stable energy prices and attracting renewable energy jobs of the future through an Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard.

The essential element, of course, is the continued focus on these skilled professionals who use their talents to improve the emerging renewable energy industry, and make up a new labor pool emerging as a result of the state's commitment to advanced energy.

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A Time for Transformation

I've mentioned "green collar" jobs before, but it's worth bringing up again. The idea of an emerging green collar industry is more than just a few startup companies hoping to have an impact on the environment. It truly is a complete transformation from many traditional industry standards.

In order for the green collar industry to thrive, business leaders need more and more qualified workers to fill the jobs that are available today. Workers, even those who have spent decades in more traditional manufacturing jobs, are showing their desire to get hands-on, advanced training in emerging technologies like advanced, renewable energies.

A great example of an organization making huge strides to get this next generation of workers proper training is Hocking College in Southeast Ohio. Hocking College has just created a state-of-the-art Energy Institute where students have a choice of two associate degree programs in advanced energy. One program track focuses on fuel cells and alternative energy, such as solar and wind power, with students trained to construct, install, troubleshoot and test multiple types of alternative energy equipment. The other program concentrates on training technicians for alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles, including ones that use fuel cells in their electrical systems.

The 12,000-square-foot Energy Institute is being built across from the Logan-Hocking Industrial Park, about two miles from a key highway linking southeast Ohio to the center of the state. The hope is that an advanced energy training program nearby will draw alternative energy companies to the industrial park.

This program has already caught the attention of advanced energy companies. NexTech Materials Ltd., a Lewis Center-based developer and maker of components for fuel cells and sensors for fuel processing systems, has already hired eight graduates of Hocking College's advanced energy program.

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Public and Private Sector Collaboration

Public and private sector collaboration is becoming increasingly important in creating an environment where companies can succeed in the global market. In Ohio, this relationship is strong. For example, public and private sectors came together to create Ohio's recent tax reform. The tax reform includes provisions that encourage companies to conduct business globally.

I recently spoke with Eric Boltz, president of Marathon Sensors Inc., about how Ohio's business climate has helped his company compete worldwide.

Q: What role do you think Ohio's tax structure will play in helping your company become a strong global competitor? Please share your thoughts.