by Chris de Morsella, Green Economy Post Chris is the co-editor of The Green Executive Recruiter Directory. Follow Chris on Twitter @greeneconpost
The Pew Center of The States Clean Economy Report found that in 2007 North Dakota had 137 cleantech businesses and that the state had 2,112 green jobs. Its green sector grew 30.9% for the decade of 1998-2007 compared with 9.4% for the overall economy.
North Dakota is the 11th largest ethanol producing state in the nation. Bioethanol plants in Casselton and Hankinson alone produce more than 225 million gallons per year. North Dakota is ranked 9th in the nation in installed wind capacity.
Three states now generate more than 10% of their utility-scale electricity from wind, solar, and/or geothermal. Iowa leads the nation with 15.4% of its electricity now generated from wind power, followed by North Dakota with 12% from wind and California with 10.06% from wind, solar, and geothermal.
There are 13 renewable energy companies in North Dakota and in 2009 the state had 2,009 renewable energy jobs. By 2010 it is estimated that the state had between 3,000 and 4,000 wind energy jobs.
In addition to small manufacturers, North Dakota has two major manufacturers for the wind energy industry. In 1998, LM Glasfiber, a leading blade manufacturer, opened a facility in Grand Forks. In 2006, DMI Industries, a major tower manufacturer, opened a facility in West Fargo. The wind energy manufacturing sector in North Dakota represents over one thousand jobs.
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