By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo still lags behind most cities in pulling out of its blue collar industrial past. And now local wind energy advocates say the region is falling behind in the race for so-called green collar jobs.
Global warming and soaring gas prices have been good motivators for communities to begin preserving and improving the quality of the environment. But experts say there is another big incentive. Developing clean, renewable energy sources creates jobs - lots and lots of green jobs. Robert Knoer chairs the Wind Action Group that is pushing for offshore wind power in the region. He said Buffalo needs to step up, because other cities are already ahead in seizing the economic opportunity.
A new report from SUNY Buffalo says that the state has the legal muscle to ensure many of those prime jobs remain here. UB law professor Robert Berger said the state should mandate that any wind turbines to be erected in Western New also be manufactured in Western New York.
With Buffalo ranking as the second poorest city in the nation, those jobs are sorely needed. Bill Nowak heads the Wind Action Group. He sees wind energy as the first rung in a so-called green ladder to help the region climb out of poverty.
Promoters say it is working in places such as Quebec, Canada. There, they say more than four billion dollars have been invested in green technology - and more than 1500 green collar jobs created.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Joyce Kryszak's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.