According to a new study released by University of California economist David Roland-Holst, California's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions will boost the state's economy and preserve hundreds of thousands of jobs that are now at risk due to rising energy costs.

The study indicates that rising fossil fuel prices could cut state economic output by $84 billion and slash 626,000 jobs from California's payrolls in 2020. But with a 33% renewable portfolio standard enforced, output would instead rise $20 billion and create 112,000 jobs.

And in the Midwest, governors from seven Midwestern states gathered in Detroit on Wednesday and adopted new jobs and infrastructure agreements that support training programs in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency and biofuels.

The governors also indicated the necessity to work together in an effort to develop a network of high-voltage power lines that can move wind power from the windiest parts of Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas to Midwestern cities that consume large amounts of electricity.

Here's what Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle had to say. . .

"If we don't move to renewable energy, we are going to see jobs not only lost, but jobs gained in other parts of the country and other parts of the world. This is where the world is moving, and Wisconsin has a lot of advantages that we had better build on. If we don't seize this opportunity, it is going to be bad for jobs."

We couldn't agree more!

Jeff