Controversial DOE Program Creates Boon in Jobs, Chile to Develop Huge Renewable Resources

The Department of Energy has a recent report  which states that the  $9 billion Obama administration grant program for renewable energy projects has created tens of thousands of jobs.  The report comes one week after Speaker John Boehner challenged Secretary Steven Chu to provide proof of the jobs creation.  The report on this controversial program was conducted by the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and concludes that the program supported 52,000 to 75,000 construction and installation jobs on average over the three years it was in effect.  Between 43,000 to 66,000 of those were indirect jobs in the supply chain (for example, in parts manufacturing). The other roughly 9,400 of the jobs were in the design and development of renewable energy systems.  Those numbers apply only to large wind and photovoltaic projects, which made up more than 90 percent of the 1603 grants. Other types of renewable energy such as geothermal, biomass and landfill gas projects were not included in the analysis.

The Country of Chile is facing a serious energy crisis which could threaten their future as a economic leader of South America.  In 2011 a serious blackout in Chile paralyzed the country’s mining system and shut down the major city of Santiago.  Hydro provides over 40% of the country’s energy but President Pinera’s plans to develop four major hydro projects has met with strong resistance from the public on environmental grounds.  There are natural renewable sources which can solve the energy problems which have caused energy prices in Chile to rise at almost six times the level of inflation and drive up the price of other services. Chile has no oil, gas or coal, but they are a very rich country in renewable resources.