Abstract
<p>This paper explores the influence of US state-level policies meant to address climate change on clean technology industry development. The largest influence of climate change policies is identified as being on energy research employment. Only some policies seem to contribute positively to clean tech employment while other policies appear to discourage employment growth. The magnitudes of the short term effects, even when statistically significant, are modest. Negative impacts on employment are identified for several mandate-oriented, so called command and control, policies including vehicle greenhouse gas standards, energy efficiency resource standards, and renewable portfolio standards with the former two having increasing negative effects over time. The findings suggest that climate change policy advocates should be careful to not assume that there will be positive clean tech employment benefits from state-level energy and environmental policies. Instead, the benefits from these policies may derive primarily from other considerations beyond the scope of this paper, including health and environmental benefits and reduction of dependence on foreign energy sources.</p>
Highlights
This paper explores how United States (US) state-level energy and environmental policies may influence clean technology industry development
We focus on two United States (US) state-level clean tech industry development indicators—clean tech patenting, as a proxy for innovation, and clean tech employment concentration
We focus on the final output of clean technology industry development in the form of clean tech employment concentration considering different definitions and different categories of clean tech
Summary
This paper explores how US state-level energy and environmental policies may influence clean technology (clean tech) industry development. These policies have been justified primarily based on other criteria—including their environmental and health benefits and potential to reduce dependence on imported energy (Lutsey & Sperling, 2008; Rabe, 2008). There is a long tradition of examining the economic impacts of energy policies. Hudson & Jorgensen (1974) for example provided econometric projections of the consequences for GDP growth from alternative energy tax policies. The question of the economic impact of energy policies remains a crucial element of any cost-benefit analysis on the implementation or continuance of these policies
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