The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

May 19, 2011

W.Va. last in clean energy leadership

By Taylor Kuykendall Register-Herald Reporter

West Virginia — known for the energy in its coal mines and, more recently, its access to large deposits of shale gas — was recently ranked the very worst in the development of “clean” sources of energy.

Clean-Edge, a clean energy technology research and advisory firm based in Portland, Ore., recently published the U.S. Clean Energy Leadership Index. Based on more than 70 indicators ranging from technology to policy, West Virginia was ranked 50th in developing clean energy technology.

The report praises the nation’s overall progress in clean energy efforts, particularly in the top 10 states of California, Oregon, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, Connecticut and Vermont.

“This year’s leadership index shows that clean-energy activity is dispersed across the nation, with leaders on both coasts and in between,” Clean Edge managing director Ron Pernick said in a news release.

“While the industry faces many challenges, including strong national-level commitments in China and Germany against the backdrop of uncertain federal leadership here, the U.S. is still a relevant clean-energy innovator as exhibited by the state-level movements tracked in this year’s leadership index.”

The index measures several different factors to determine the success of a particular state in moving toward energy sources that are more environmentally friendly. Some of the factors measured include clean-energy ventures, electricity produced by “clean energy” sources such as geothermal, solar and wind energy, and energy policies.

Data for the study was mined from multiple public-domain sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Department of Energy and Energy Star. Private data providers were also utilized in creating the index.

Clean-Edge does not provide the entire data set for the U.S. Clean Energy Leadership Index unless a subscription is purchased. The service is marketed to economic development agencies, governments and other interested groups.

— E-mail: tkuykendall@register-herald.com

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