Links and Resources

Clean Energy Reports

Securing Idaho’s Energy Future
Idaho can create thousands of jobs while helping to control energy costs by developing renewable and energy efficiency resources

Carbon-Free Prosperity 2025 How the Northwest Can Create Jobs, Enable Energy Independence, and Be a Global Clean-Energy Leader
Carbon-Free Prosperity 2025 concludes that five emerging clean-tech industry sectors offer the Pacific Northwest one of the best opportunities for sustained economic vitality and job growth.

Community Wind 101: A Primer for Policymakers
Opening up wind power ownership to smaller investors, local lenders, farmers, ranchers, consumer-owned utilities, school districts, colleges, Native tribes and other citizens will allow more people to enjoy the financial benefits of wind power while accelerating its growth.

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Clean Renewable Energy Employment Boards

American Solar Energy Society
The Society has created a GreenStart Job Board to introduce people to some of the organizations in the green economy and to provide a fast and easy way to browse the current job openings at each company.

American Wind Energy Association
The Association’s on-line Careers in Wind job board lists employers, people seeking work and resumes.

Northwest Biofuels Association
The Northwest Biofuels Association has a job board listing job opportunities and people seeking work. The site also has a calendar of events and trainings as well as a list of biofuels companies in the Northwest.

There are many green job employment websites. People interested in working in green jobs or renewable energy careers should check them out as well as individual companies, public and private utilities and nonprofit agencies.

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Training Programs in the Pacific Northwest

Idaho

Boise State University, Wind Application Center
Boise State University was recently named one of six Wind Application Centers in the nation through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind for Schools program. During this three-year program, undergraduates in engineering will manage the siting and construction of small 1.9-kilowatt wind turbines at up to 12 rural Idaho schools. The program educates rural K-12 students about wind energy and engages rural communities in a discussion regarding the applications and benefits of a robust wind energy future for rural America. Engineering students will develop real-world experience in wind energy project development.

College of Southern Idaho, Wind Energy Program
A one year technical certificate program on wind energy will be offered in the fall of 2009.

Montana

Dawson Community College, Engineering Technology
The Engineering Technology program prepares students for employment in the growing technical fields associated with engineering, construction, power generation and transfer.

Miles Community College, Biofuels and Energy Technology
The two year program in Biofuels trains students in all aspects of biofuels production and other related endeavors such as feedstock production and procurement and co-product marketing and use. The Energy Technology program (also two years) is run in collaboration with The University of Montana College of Technology in Missoula. This online degree introduces students to the full suite of energy technologies—traditional, emerging, renewable, and alternative—and prepares them for careers in the energy industry.

Montana Green Campus
A virtual gateway to the Montana University System with links to on-line courses and programs, careers in energy fields, energy related degrees and programs, and energy research.

Montana State University, Wind Application Center
Montana State University was recently named one of six Wind Application Centers in the nation through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind for Schools program. During this three-year program, undergraduates in engineering will manage the siting and construction of small 1.9-kilowatt wind turbines at up to 4 rural Montana schools. The program educates rural K-12 students about wind energy and engages rural communities in a discussion regarding the applications and benefits of a robust wind energy future for rural America. Engineering students will develop real-world experience in wind energy project development.

The University of Montana College of Technology, Energy Technology
This is a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in Energy Technology. The program introduces students to the full suite of energy systems and technologies—traditional and renewable—and prepares them for careers in the rapidly expanding energy industry.

Oregon

Columbia Gorge Community College
The Renewable Energy Technology Program prepares students for a broad range of clean energy jobs including: hydro-generation, wind-generation, and engineering technician. In the near future, the program will be adding solar array (farm) track. The Program offers a one year certificate and an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Northwest Energy Education Institute, Science Division-Lane Community College
The Northwest Energy Education Institute offers two year degree and certificate programs as well as custom designed trainings. The two year degree programs (Associate of Applied Science) are in energy management, renewable energy technician and water conservation technician. Certificates are offered in: energy management, building operator, sustainable building advisor, and BPA residential auditor/inspector. Lane Community College’s program is one of the oldest in the nation.

Portland Community College, Electronic Engineering Technology Renewable Energy Systems
The most comprehensive Renewable Energy Systems (RES) training offering in the State of Oregon preparing technicians for solar power, wind power, fuel cell and other renewable energy fields.

Washington

Cascadia Community College, Environmental Technologies and Sustainable Practices
A two year program specifically designed to prepare students to enter the rapidly expanding fields of sustainability and renewable energy technology. It is the first 2-year professional technical degree in Washington that is specifically focused on careers in sustainability.

Centralia Community College, Center of Excellence for Energy Technology
Provides leadership for a growing alliance of energy industry and college partners. Together, industry and educational partnerships provide comprehensive degree and certificate programs, on-line courses, and regional classroom training opportunities that focus on the future of the energy industry.

Shoreline Community College, Solar PV Designer Certificate
This short term program trains people to specify and/or certify solar panel systems for residences and buildings. The program has a strong hands-on component.

Washington State University
WSU’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science will offer the state's first college-level engineering course in renewable energy engineering in the fall of 2009. The course will focus on wind, solar, biomass, and fuel-cell energy as well as exploring emerging technologies. Work will be geared for senior-level majors in engineering, electrical engineering and the sciences.

Besides the community colleges and universities listed above, many professional organizations and nonprofits conduct trainings in renewable energy resources, energy efficiency, and sustainability.