Promise and potential

<p>Green is the gold that will lead to a strong environment, a sustainable economy and a boom in new jobs, say business and government leaders who have embraced the new ethos.</p><p>President Barack Obama’s stimulus package and budget pledges billions of dollars to create a clean energy future and hundreds of thousands of “green” jobs.</p><p>“If you look for a light at the end of the tunnel, this is what you should be looking for. Green technology is going to be picking up. There will be job generation,” said Kasey.</p><p>Arnold-Ince, director of communications for PAX Streamline.</p><p>The Novato company, a spin-off of San Rafael-based PAX Scientific, produces energy-efficient products such as a mixer using an impeller modeled on the Nautilus shell to stir vast municipal water tanks and reduce the need for disinfectants.</p><p>While the promise of green technology is huge, the reality is measured in smaller increments, such as weatherizing windows, changing how homes are refurbished or encouraging ecotourism. The dream remains of breakthroughs that will create whole new companies and eclipse the technology revolution of the past several decades.</p><p>Economists see the potential for green technologies and investment to help pull Sonoma County out of the recession, but aren’t treating it as a panacea.</p><p>“Green jobs are going to come in many different forms,” said Robert Eyler, director of the Center for Regional Economic Analysis at Sonoma State University. “The impact could be very widespread, from construction of all types, to research-and-development-type jobs at high-tech firms, to consultancies that will bud up to either green your business, or expansion of environmental impact reporting.”</p><p>But he said it is tough to predict how many jobs the nascent sector will produce.</p><p>At PAX Streamline, for example, the company isn’t in a hiring mode at the moment or looking to significantly expand beyond its 35 employees in Novato because of the weak economy, Arnold-Ince said.</p><p>And some critics say more jobs could be lost in other areas of the economy precisely because of the funding diverted to renewable energy.</p><p>“I don’t think anyone can give you an estimate of the potential job boost, or whether it will increase the local employment level,” Eyler said.</p><p>But he said “I think it will be enough to bottom us out and get us into a growth phase. It will be one of the driving forces in turning the recession around.”</p><p>Healdsburg Mayor Eric Ziedrich, who owns Healdsburg Lumber and Gualala Building Supply, said the construction industry is still suffering from the economic downturn.</p><p>The stimulus package and rebate programs are whetting appetites for green technologies, he said, “but there will be an element of delay until people find some comfort within the new economic paradigm we are in.”</p><p>Ziedrich’s business offers doors, windows, insulation, kitchen design services — and sales have been severely impacted over the past 18 months by the housing downturn.</p><p>Despite immediate rebates that consumers can get for installing energy efficient windows, appliances and other items, he noted “the consumer is not ready to make the commitment yet, darn it.”</p><p>An uptick in housing sales will lead to more remodeling and a slow road to recovery, he said.</p><p>And environmentally friendly construction is becoming the norm. It’s not only a good idea for the planet, but helps reduce water and energy costs.</p><p>“There’s been an ongoing shift since green technology and green building entered our vocabulary,” Ziedrich said. “Everyone is much more sensitized and aware of it. It’s translated from the niche, outer periphery of construction to where it is today - to smart sensible construction practices.”</p><p>Eyler does not foresee a large manufacturing and distribution company in the area producing a cutting-edge technology, such as nano solar panels, or copper works for water-efficient products.</p><p>Instead, he predicts local companies will be involved in delivery of services and the development and incubation of new technologies.</p><p>He expects the emphasis on environmentally sound building practices and energy conservation to benefit the beaten down construction trades.</p><p>“It seems like a good time is upon us here,” said Barry Cogbill, an energy efficiency and water conservation consultant. “I definitely think the green sector of the national economy is going to be what gets this country back on track.”</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Clark Mason at 521-5214 or clark.mason@pressdemocrat.com.</p>