To the editor:

Development of the renewable energy sector in the United States would create tens of thousands of new jobs and provide a huge boost to the economic development of the United States.

“Job Growth from Renewable Energy Development in the Mid-Atlantic” (a recent report by the Public Interest Research Group ((PIRG)) Renewables Work) details how capitalizing on rapidly expanding local, national and global markets for renewable energy would have tremendous benefits for the local economy of one state. The report’s authors point out that, due to the dramatic rise in natural gas prices, expanding renewable energy markets would also help stabilize natural gas prices and supply reliability generally.

“The potential for renewable energy to boost Maryland’s economy is enormous,” said Gigi Kellett, an advocate of the PIRG foundation. “At a time when the state is scrambling for ways to bolster the state’s business climate, promoting renewable energy is an easy choice — more renewable energy equals more jobs for our state and, ultimately lower and more stable energy bills for regional consumers and businesses.”

Kansas has very good wind and biomass resources that could bring jobs, increased tax revenues and investment to rural counties. Kansas, just as Maryland, could benefit from increased renewable energy development. Establishing renewable-energy tax-incentive programs provides a signal that there will be a long-term demand for renewables, which in turn gives land owners, investors and energy customers the confidence to implement renewable energy.

Increasingly, energy consumers of Kansas understand this simple concept — why doesn’t the Kansas Legislature in Topeka get it?

Les Blevins,

Lawrence