Louisiana running in middle of pack for green jobs

New Orleans City Business
Jun 15, 2009

Louisiana had the 24th most clean-energy businesses and the 22nd most green jobs among U.S. states, according to a study released last week.

The Pew Charitable Trust reports Louisiana had 995 businesses supporting 10,641 jobs in the clean-energy sector in 2007, with 22 clean energy patents issued between 1999-2008.

California ranked first in both categories, while North Dakota had the fewest companies and Wyoming had the fewest jobs.

“The clean energy economy is poised for explosive growth,” said Lori Grange, interim deputy director of the Pew Center on the States. “There is a potential competitive advantage for federal and state policy leaders who act now to spur jobs, businesses and investments in the clean energy sector.”

Pew cited New Orleans-based Computrols, which develops automation systems for buildings to monitor energy use, and Baton Rouge-based Aquaterra Engineering, which provides earth science and environmental engineering services, as examples of Louisiana’s green companies.