Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture) and the Chester County Economic Development Council are teaming up to sponsor a comprehensive economic development program to support the growth of the clean and renewable energy sector in the region. The Smart Energy Initiative (SEI) of Southeastern Pennsylvania is a public-private partnership of economic development agencies, workforce investment boards, educators, and industry representatives from across the region.

SEI is working to identify and address a wide variety of business and industry energy needs, with job creation as the highest priority. With renewable energy and energy efficiency markets expanding nationwide, the development of a well-trained, stable workforce is critical to Pennsylvania’s ability to capture – and maintain – its fair share of the resulting economic benefits.

Energy markets in other states are hampered by underdeveloped workforces and workforce shortages. SEI hopes to help southeastern Pennsylvania avoid a similar issue by providing workforce training that both satisfies today’s business needs and prepares businesses for the emerging markets.

In particular, training in solar photovoltaic installation and energy efficiency are being provided. “We’re laying the groundwork now in preparation for the growth that we know is coming,” said Gary Smith, president of the Chester County Economic Development Council.

Tom Tuffey, director of PennFuture’s Center for Energy, Enterprise and the Environment forecasts a robust regional solar market. “The clean energy requirements in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland total 4000 megawatts. When combined with rapid technological and manufacturing advances, southeastern Pennsylvania will soon enjoy strong market demand that will continue through the next decade. We need to be ready for it.”

Rising energy prices and the scheduled lifting of electricity rate caps will create a huge demand for energy efficiency and demand side management products and services. SEI is providing programming and informational seminars for the business community in southeastern Pennsylvania to increase awareness of the issues, and employee training to help Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and other companies position themselves to take advantage of the emerging markets.

The collaboration has been hugely successful, according to Sally Silver, program manager for the Smart Energy Initiative. “The combined talent and expertise of PennFuture and the Chester County Economic Development Council is reflected in the fact that there are currently more than 130 companies from within the region participating in the Smart Energy Initiative, and new companies are being added at a rate of 8-10 per week.”

Funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and the Chester County Workforce Investment Board, the Smart Energy Initiative has $200,000 in funds to support employee training through June 30, 2008. The Sustainable Development Fund is also providing grant support for information seminars being held in the region. SEI hopes to receive federal green jobs funding to expand its efforts to develop a trained workforce in the region.

For additional information about the Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern Pennsylvania, contact Sally Silver, program manager, at (610) 458-5700 ext. 275 or ssilver@cceconomicdevelopment.com.