States, Workers Can Seize Emerging Economic Opportunities in Renewable Energy

Data shows that fortifying manufacturing and investing in a skilled workforce can enable coastal U.S. states and their neighbors to capitalize on the economic and job opportunities presented by the offshore wind industry’s increasing supply chain needs.

The Pew Charitable Trusts hosted a webinar on November 18 to highlight the potential economic impacts of growing the domestic offshore wind supply chain and the related opportunities for coastal states. Presenters, which included business advocates, local organizations, and researchers, also discussed how a greater understanding among state policymakers of the economic possibilities associated with offshore wind is helping unlock policies that facilitate industry growth while benefitting communities, businesses, and workers. 

This webinar explored the Louisiana Offshore Wind Supply Chain Assessment, a study released by Pew, Greater New Orleans Inc., the Southeastern Wind Coalition, the Center for Planning Excellence, and Xodus Group. The assessment shows that hundreds of Louisiana businesses and workers are well-positioned to tap into their existing expertise and infrastructure to bolster the industry, grow the state’s manufacturing sector, create good-paying jobs, and support state and national energy production goals.

Agenda:

Remarks from:

Laura Lightbody, director, The Pew Charitable Trusts’ energy modernization project

Discussion sessions

Session 1: Scaling up from a national perspective

Clean energy and business advocates alike are recognizing the mounting opportunities for the offshore wind supply chain industry. Panelists highlighted the benefits of cultivating the domestic supply chain from an industry and workforce perspective, showing how states can seize these economic growth opportunities and the potential financial boon available. The session also featured a discussion of an analysis to quantify the economic opportunity associated with this growing sector.

Panelists:

• John Begala, The Pew Charitable Trusts (moderator)
• Sam Salustro, Oceantic Network
• Brinn McDowell, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Gregory B. Upton Jr., Center for Energy Studies, Louisiana State University

Session 2: Unlocking your state’s potential: Louisiana case study

Louisiana supply chain study partners Greater New Orleans Inc. and the Center for Planning Excellence shared how the report is helping to spur interest and drive tangible action to develop the capacity, jobs, and expertise necessary to tap into supply chain opportunities across the state.

Panelists:

• Courtney Durham Shane, The Pew Charitable Trusts (moderator)
• Cameron Poole, Greater New Orleans Inc.
• Camille Manning-Broome, Center for Planning Excellence
• Otto Candies IV, Otto Candies LLC