Finally, New Mexico made an A for something, namely growing a "clean energy" economy.

Clean energy jobs in the state have grown at a rate 25 percent faster than any other sector of the economy, according to a recently released study by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Pew gave New Mexico a top grade in the study for supporting clean energy and green jobs through tax incentives and policies such as renewable energy standards. "(New Mexico) is really a leader," said Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Pew Charitable Trusts global warming campaign.

The number of people statewide employed in green jobs in 2007 was 4,815 out of a total work force of 821,484 in New Mexico.

Clean energy jobs run the gamut from wind turbine installers to companies producing low-energy appliances, according to the study. The jobs are any related to researching, inventing, producing or installing things that help boost the use of renewable power and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Santa Fe has dozens of small businesses designing and installing renewable energy systems on homes, creating low-water landscaping and constructing energy-efficient buildings.

Overall, jobs in the clean energy sector grew at a faster rate than other sectors across the nation from 1998 to 2007, with 68,200 businesses creating 770,000 jobs, according to the Pew study. All that occurred without a big boost from government, according to the study.

The potential is high for a lot more growth in the green economy, according to the study's authors. The federal stimulus package includes billions of dollars for everything from installing energy-efficient appliances in low-income homes to boosting the supply of electricity from wind farms. A federal renewable energy standard, passed by the U.S. House and awaiting a vote in the Senate, could boost the clean energy economy further. Millions of the clean energy stimulus funds are slated for New Mexico.

The Pew study, released in early June, is the first one to count businesses, actual jobs, patents and investment in clean energy endeavors in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Researchers strictly defined green jobs and looked only at the supply side of green businesses, said Kil Huh, project director for the Pew Center on the States.

The study also analyzed where investors are putting their money. The study found that venture capital in clean energy technology hit the $1 billion mark in 2005 and grew to $12.6 billion in the next three years.

The Pew Charitable Trust met with dozens of international investors in Santa Fe on June 17 to talk about the study.

Huh said investors see where the energy market is headed. Consumers and government policies increasingly favor renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and environmentally friendly manufacturing. "Consumers really are driving the clean energy economy," Huh said.

Most green jobs are in conservation and pollution reduction right now, according to the Pew study. But an estimated 80 percent of the venture capital investment in 2008 was in clean energy production and energy efficiency. Clean energy production, for example, creates jobs for wind and solar energy system installers and researchers creating hybrid engines. Energy efficiency creates jobs for inventors and manufacturers creating low-energy lightbulbs or appliances, and people who install the products.

Creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming aren't the only reasons to switch to a clean energy economy, according to Huh and Cuttino.

The Pew study comes barely a month after the nonprofit Center for Naval Analysis and a group of retired military leaders finished a report on the risks to national security from the United States' dependence on fossil fuel. "Powering America's Defense: Energy and the Risks to National Security" is the second report from the group analyzing energy policy, climate change and national security.

"Fossil fuels, as well as the nation's fragile electricity grid, pose significant security threats to the country as a whole and the military in particular," concluded the Military Advisory Board made up of retired generals and admirals. "Overreliance on oil burdens the military, undermines combat effectiveness and exacts a huge price tag — in dollars and lives."

The United States currently imports about 60 percent of its oil.

The board says the nation and the military need to pursue energy efficiency, electric vehicles and renewable energy sources.

Contact Staci Matlock at 986-3055 or smatlock@sfnewmexican.com.

BY THE NUMBERS

The clean energy economy in New Mexico

Jobs (2007): 4,815

Businesses (2007): 577

Venture Capital Funds: Almost $148 million

Patents (1999-2008): 95

Information from the Pew Charitable Trusts

CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY

The Pew Charitable Trust defines a clean energy economy as one that "generates jobs, businesses and investments while expanding clean energy production, increasing energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste and pollution and conserving water and other natural resources."

ON THE WEB

• To see the full report at the Pew Charitable Trust Web site, www.pewtrusts.org or www.cna.org.