Ohio Environmental Law Blog : Ohio Environmental Lawyer & Attorney : Joseph Koncelik : Frantz Ward Law Firm : Environmental Regulation, Land Use, Compliance : Cleveland, Ohio

The Sustainable Cleveland 2019 summit was unlike any other conference or summit I had attended.  I have been to plenty where the goal was simply to raise awareness-  Typically a parade of talking heads followed up by urgent pleas to do something in the future. 

The Cleveland Summit was much different.  It took some 700 attendees who represented a cross-section of the community and put them to work on development of an strategic plan to build green jobs in Northeast Ohio. 

The process used was called "Appreciative Inquiry" (AI) which was developed by Professor Cooperrider at Case Western Reserve University.  AI has been used by businesses and even the United Nations.  AI's basic concept is that small groups put limits on development of a strategic plans. For that reason it is much better to tap into the knowledge of a large group.   

I have to say I was skeptical of the process going in.  But I was continually amazed at the number of talented people in my working groups that represented a cross-section of the community.  Here are some examples of people who sat at my tables:

• CEOs
• Non-profit representatives
• Small business owners
• Sustainability experts
• Advocates
• Students
• City and County Government Officials
• Attendees from other cities and countries

It was a great mix and cross-section of the community.  I would be lying if I didn't find some of the ideas and opinions offered to be "wild" or out of touch with reality.   There were also times when the Summit got to be a bit too much cheer-leading and not enough specific action.  However, there was no denying the energy and purpose of the group. 

There was an excellent advance briefing paper that was given to participants.  The Sustainable Cleveland briefing paper includes good information as to groups, initiatives and progress to date in Northeat Ohio on sustainability.  There were also notable speakers at the Summit.  Here are a couple thoughts or observations that I found interesting that were offered by some of the speakers:

• Mayor Jackson's opening remarks:  He said Cleveland had made the mistake in the past of waiting to change course until the economy had improved.  He said "Cleveland won't make that mistake again" and that Cleveland will "emerge first in developing a green economy."  My comment:  I like the sentiment of not waiting, but Cleveland is already behind many other cities in moving this direction.  We have to be realistic in our assessment of where we are now to get some place in the future...
• Van Jones of the Obama Administration:  He made the observation that everyone points to China as the example of a dirty or old style industrial economy.  He said China has seen the direction of the future economy and is spending $12 million dollars an hour on development of clean energy.  My comment:  I thought this really was a good observation that we are in a global competition of developing clean energy.
• Dr. Peter Senge, MIT:  He made some interesting observations regarding sustainability principles.  For example, to produce a computer chip you must use 630 times the weight of the chip in materials to construct it.  That is an amazing amount of waste those goes into developing a single small product.  The observation was made to show the opportunity to reduce waste in the process thereby saving money

Overall, I thought the Summit was a testament to the a growing positive attitude in Cleveland about change. Attendees were willing to devote three days in dark hall of the Convention Center to discuss these topics and develop a plan. 

A Dose of Reality

I will conclude by making an observation regarding building success out of the Summit.  I was lucky to participate directly in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration (GLRC).  The GLRC was a on-going process to develop a plan for protecting and cleaning up the Great Lakes. It was initiated by President Bush by Executive Order.  The idea was to follow the Florida Everglades model and secure significant funding for restoration of the Great Lakes.

The GLRC was on a scale five times the size of the Cleveland Sustainability Summit.  It involved multiple federal agencies, Indian tribes, state representatives, non-profit groups and environmental groups.

Similar to the Cleveland Sustainability Summit there was tremendous energy and optimism from the participants.  However, that optimism also led to the inclusion of some very unrealistic goals and actions in the GLRC plan for the Great Lakes.  I remember continually raising the concern that the plan had to be realistic and build toward the future.

Some of the most unrealistic proposals were included in the final plan.  What happened...after a full year in development, the plan was virtually shelved due to budget concerns at the federal level.  Participants were disheartened and charges were thrown around that the process was purely a political tool. 

I hope the concept of a lasting 10 year strategic plan for attracting green jobs to Cleveland does not follow a similar path.  Significant progress is possible, but it must include a dose of reality.

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Cleveland has is trying to increase momentum toward become a hub of green industry.  As a recent Clevelander I appreciate the efforts to promote sustainability, renewable power, and other green industry as a means of attracting jobs and improving the economy.  (photo:flickr:heidigoseek)

I have had the luxury of working with many of the cities around the State on environmental issues.  I honestly believe Cleveland has more resources and a more developed culture on sustainability then the other major Ohio metropolitan areas.   If you think differently check out the compiled list on Positively Cleveland of 75 Green Thing in Cleveland Plus.

But make no mistake about it, Cleveland is facing tough competition.  Frankly, Michigan and Pennsylvania have been more aggressive in promoting policies that would attract green industry to their states which puts Cleveland at a disadvantage. Those windmill blades you see traveling up I-71, those were not built in Ohio and are more than likely not going to be put up at a site in Ohio.   So, if we want to be serious about a green industry in Cleveland we will have to be prepared to beat the competition.

Mayor Jackson is trying to take the first step toward putting together a strategic plan for attracting green industry.  On August 12-14 he is holding a summit called Sustainable Cleveland 2019.  Here is the description of the summit off of the City's webpage:

From August 12-14, Mayor Frank G. Jackson will host a three-day summit, bringing together a diverse group of people vested in and dedicated to Cleveland to use their vast knowledge and imagination to create an action plan for building a green economy for Cleveland’s future. This summit will be facilitated by Dr. David Cooperrider of the Fowler Center for Sustainable Value at Case Western Reserve University. The goal is to create an action plan for economic sustainability that will support business growth; protect the environment; and, create opportunities for individuals to prosper.

I will be participating and no doubt will offer my opinions on the success of the summit in future blog posts.  But for right now, I am just pleased to see a focus on developing a strategy.  Now lets see if a viable strategy emerges. In a very general way, such a strategy should include:

• Specific action items that focus on building a culture and structure needed to compete for green jobs
• Courage and vision to make difficult choices.
• An on-going commitment by more than just a few to implement the strategy
• Participation by the business community
• Linkage to Cleveland's other major growth industry- Health Care

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Governor Ted Strickland made his State of the State speech today.  While almost the entire speech was focused on education there were a few interesting nuggets relative to Ohio's progress in developing green jobs. 

"Over the last three years, Ohio has led the nation with 350 new or expanded facility projects in the renewable energy sector.

 Take solar energy, for example. The Toledo area has become an international center for solar research and production, with more than 6,000 people working in the solar industry. First Solar and Xunlight (Zun-light) both launched major expansions just this past year.

 All across the state we’ve seen advanced energy creating opportunities."

Later in the speech Strickland discussed Ohio's efforts to incorporate energy efficiency requirements into new government buildings:

Together we took the school building program that Governor Taft and the legislature created, and we expanded it to fund hundreds of new and renovated school buildings. And our new schools are being built to efficiency standards that will reduce our energy costs for the life of the building. In fact, Ohio has the largest energy efficient school building program in the nation.

The Governor should be commended for creation of a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (Ohio calls it an "Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard").  His initial proposal was greatly improved upon in the Legislature.  However, the rules governing implementation of the RPS seem to be currently stuck at PUCO after the Commission was flooded with comments on how to improve them.  Without improvement we stand to lose the momentum gained through passage of the energy legislation.

The Governor also included Advanced Energy Grant Funding in the Job Stimulus package passed recently.  However, the size of the grants ($250,000 for non-coal projects) seem to be too small to attract major new development to the State.

Is Ohio losing the momentum on attracting green jobs and economic development? 

President Obama has made clear his priority is renewable energy, climate change and green jobs.  Given Ohio's importance in the election this seems like a perfect fit to start getting Ohio out of its economic crisis and create the jobs of the future. Unfortunately, the Governor included no new proposals or ideas for how to build on Ohio's recent momentum in his State of the State address. 

Many states recognize the huge changes that are coming as a result of climate change and energy.  Unfortunately, Ohio lags these other states in developing and attracting the talent to truly lead in these areas.  As purely anecdotal evidence, when I attend national conferences that discuss these issues I will sometimes be the sole representative from Ohio. Meanwhile the New England States and West Coast dominate these conferences. 

Granted I don't attend every conference in these areas, but Ohio has certainly not lead on renewable energy.  It was the 26th state to pass an RPS.  Ohio has not lead at all on climate change. Its efforts have been focussed on resisting rather than improving climate change proposals. 

When the major policy changes on climate change and renewable energy are put forward, where do you think the jobs will go? 

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I have discussed  the ability of green jobs to help stimulate our economy.  However, that was before our energy crisis ended....temporarily.  The Wall Street Journal discussed President Elect Obama's plan to add 5 million new jobs through spending on clean energy.  As shown below, the Article questions the economic theory behind that plan.  Stating the Obama proposal does not account for the jobs that would be lost in the gas and coal sectors of the economy when such a shift occurs. 

The green-jobs argument rests on the notion that big capital investments in new-energy technology today will be more than offset by savings in reduced fossil-fuel costs. Though oil prices have fallen, the International Energy Agency predicted Thursday that once the economy picks up again, they will resume climbing, potentially topping $200 a barrel by 2030. The IEA called the current energy system "patently unsustainable" and called for "radical action by governments."

Several studies estimate that $1 invested in renewable energy or energy efficiency would yield up to four times as many jobs as $1 invested in oil and gas, whose basic infrastructure of wells, refineries and pipelines has been around for years. Moreover, those studies say, clean-energy jobs are likely to be centered in the U.S., unlike jobs in the oil and gas industry, which increasingly are spread around the world.

Critics say analyzing only new green jobs misses half the story. "It's not looking at the other side of the coin: You are spending more money for your energy," says Anne Smith, a vice president at CRA International. The consulting firm wrote a report for the coal-mining industry in April that concluded that, under a bill to cap global-warming emissions, gains in green jobs would be "more than offset" by job losses elsewhere in the economy. That bill failed, but Mr. Obama has said he supports capping emissions.
 

While the journal focuses on the loss in jobs in oil and gas, I think the main issue is the fall in commodity prices like oil and coal.  When those prices were soaring everyone wanted to shift into alternative energy, however the energy crisis is temporarily over.  I highlighted the statement in the article that "once fossil fuel prices climb again" the shift to clean energy will make sense.  The key is..."once the prices climb again."

Once the world economy grows again we will be in the same place we were in this summer.  It is a fact that there is just only so much oil to go around.  However, as discussed in my last post, the failing economy will also temporarily take away the momentum behind the green jobs push.  With oil down below $60 a barrel, the strong motivating factor that made everyone interested in alternative sources of energy is temporarily gone.  Right now we will be going into survival mode.  The question will remain for business- "What is the cheapest form of energy right now?" 

When commodity prices climb again (and they will), businesses will again consider clean energy has a hedge against ever escalating commodity prices.

(Photo: Flickr Crashworks)

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A report released today by the U.S. Conference of Mayors estimates that job growth associated with green industries could be the fastest growing job market over the next few decades.  As reported in Time Magazine:

A major shift to renewable energy and efficiency is expected to produce 4.2 million new environmentally friendly "green" jobs over the next three decades, according to a study commissioned by the nation's mayors.

By 2038, another 4.2 million green jobs are expected to be added, accounting for 10 percent of new job growth over the next 30 years, according to the report by Global Insight, Inc.

"It could be the fastest growing segment of the United States economy over the next several decades and dramatically increase its share of total employment," said the report, obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.

Ohio, with its long history of manufacturing and its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, has been slower to embrace green ideas as means of turning its economic fortunes around.   However, the drumbeat of bad economic news has more Ohio leaders looking for new opportunities to jump start Ohio's economy.  From 2000 to 2007, Ohio lost 209,000 jobs.  During that same period Cleveland lost 63,000 jobs based upon a report compiled using Department of Labor statistics. 

The single largest development was passage of legislation (S.B. 221) this summer that created a renewable portfolio standard, advanced energy portfolio standard and energy efficiency requirements. However, a review of recent local news stories and events shows the Buckeye State is beginning to focus on developing a green economy:

• Cincinnati Wants to Lead Green Roof Movement in U.S.- The City Council on Wednesday became the first in Ohio with a plan to channel grants and loans to residents and businesses to replace tar and shingles with vegetation.
• Columbus Summit on Sustainability and the Environment-  MORPC, the Columbus metropolitan planning organization, held a successful multi-day summit at the Columbus Convention Center.  Over 500 individuals attended that event that had a wide range of presentations relating to sustainability. 
• Eight Major Green Projects in Northeast Ohio- They include attracting fish to the Cuyahoga River shipping channel through installation of plants along the bulkhead, deconstruction of abandoned homes to recycle the materials, local food from urban community gardens, etc.
• Wind Turbines on Lake Erie- Cuyahoga County officials this week rolled out the first three reports from their $1 million study of a grand vision -- erecting two to 10 wind turbines in the lake off Cleveland's shore.  Constructing off-shore wind power in fresh water is seen as a possible economic driver in Northeast Ohio.
• Ohio State University Participates in Solar Decathlon- 20 university teams will participate in the 2009 Solar Decathlon. The teams, chosen from the United States, Canada, and Europe, will each receive $100,000 from DOE to design, build, and operate energy efficient, solar-powered homes.  The Solar Decathlon is an international, biennial competition that challenges university teams to design and build energy efficient solar-powered homes.
• Ohio Has 28 Solar Sites as Part of National Solar Tour-  Green Energy Ohio organized the tours in Ohio as part of the American Solar Energy Society.  The tours are from October 3-5.
• Ohio Gov. Recognizes U. of Toledo Solar Power Leadership-

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