President-elect Obama says his economic stimulus plan will include alternative-energy programs and projects. It seems to me that Asheville is poised to take advantage of such an initiative. We’ve got the folks at GO, working on green jobs. We’ve got the Chamber of Commerce’s Asheville Sustainability Center. We’ve got a variety of groups regularly meeting to talk green, like Green Drinks. We’ve got the energy and the interest.

How do steer Asheville economy toward a greener economy?

Good observation. Asheville’s environmental groups and various sustainability initiatives will likely be looking closely at federal programs aiming to build the economy via green initiatives.

A green economy would be nice
I tried working in that field in the early 80’s. I think the same will hold true now….If nobody is buyin green tech then nobody can hire green technicians.
If folks like you and your neighbors don’t personally invest in some alternative tech then it is hard to sustain business.
I would like to see more energy efficiency in everything, transport, homes and business, but if you are strapped for cash, you will do the easiest method, instead of investing for the longer term.
I only hope we can figure out a way to help people invest in alternatives, to stimulate the economy as well as make the future more sustainable.
I would love to see an electric car that folks would support, and fuel them by off peak charging, and solar , wind, fuel cells etc. It would be even nicer if they were made wholly or partly in this area.
Solar greenhouse tech on many houses would help heating and maybe expand the local grown food movement, they were hugely popular in the 80’s but became funny semi-outdoor eating spots for chain restaurants.

I would be hesitant to say the Green Economy will “save” Asheville. Like the climate crisis, there is no such thing as a silver bullet for economic development (“silver BB’s or birdshot” would be a more apt description). That said, I do believe the Asheville region can attain some level of competitive advantage by developing the region’s Green Economy. The climate and economic crises may afford us this opportunity- in my years of working in economic development, I have not seen such a fortuitous “aligning of the stars”- big problems, policy and political opportunities and entrepreneurial energy (in both the public and private sector). The old fordist “economy vs environment” contentious and categorical dynamic may finally be laid to rest if the level of VC funding is any indication of growth of the green economy. The rate of innovation, and the need for all sectors of the economy to become more energy and resource efficient, suggests the Green Economy will be a more significant source of economic expansion than technology has been. This is huge.

For the Asheville region to harness the potential economic impact of the green economy opportunities, leaders must be as nimble and adaptive as the green economy entrepreneurs. 21st century economic development strategies must be used. All efforts must be at the regional level.

The Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute’s (formerly the Asheville Sustainability Center) Green Monday on December 1 is focusing on the Green Economy and Green Jobs. I have a little inside knowledge about a big project that is going to be announced which should lay the foundation for developing our green economy. This event is at the Chamber, between 3-5pm.

By the way, BRSI is an independent 501(c)3- it is not part of the Chamber of Commerce.

For a green economy to prosper the “mystique” and “premium” image marketers of green products have embraced (to jack up prices) must be eliminated.

Sure, green products tend to cost a bit more to manufacture (especially when lacking the economies of scale of standard products), but several trends in pricing of green products seem to prove this extra cost does not justify the premium prices often charged at the retail level.

Organic foods are a prime example. Go back a few years and most organic products cost 2 to 3 times their “standard” counterparts. At upscale health food stores prices are still high (though not like they were). But now you can buy many of the exact same organic products at normal stores or discount chains, for only 25% or so more than their non-organic counterparts. This development has led to reporting in the media that organics are no longer the “hot trend”. That is a good thing.

I think I represent most Americans in that I will spend more for a better product, but not if I feel I am being gouged unfairly.

Why do you think Japanese cars outsell those of the big 3, despite prices that are generally a bit higher? Same premise.

As long as “green” is used as by many as a marketing gimmick to artificially inflate prices it will never catch on with the general public.

In the good-news category, be sure to check out this week’s Xpress news story on new, very-large, local solar installations that are being built:
http://www.mountainx.com/news/2008/112608solar_projects_catch_fire

Other trends that should help:
• the just-increased federal & state renewable tax credits
• the buy local foods (“locavore”) movement
• green building

I am hopeful that Green collar jobs will be the norm.  I own a local eco-friendly cleaning & organization business which has slowed down a great deal as has many others I am sure.  There may come a day that my business is longer sets itself apart from the rest by touting its “green-ness”  for now it is one of the perks that helps me stand out. 
http://www.planethealthyhouse.blogspot.com

I am a pioneer for establishing “green jobs” in the Asheville area. I believe it is crucial to protecting our current natural resources and raising our awareness level. Whether your in the green business, you desire a job helping the environment or just a concerned resident, everyone can help. I have seen a large increase in green jobs and in industries actually going green, establishing the base that “The Green Initiative” is here to stay.

Solar panels, rainwater harvesting, geo-thermal heating, are all ways we can help each other and the environment. I am new to this forum and am excited to begin commenting!

4tees - 27 November 2008 12:29 PM

Organic foods are a prime example. Go back a few years and most organic products cost 2 to 3 times their “standard” counterparts. At upscale health food stores prices are still high (though not like they were). But now you can buy many of the exact same organic products at normal stores or discount chains, for only 25% or so more than their non-organic counterparts. This development has led to reporting in the media that organics are no longer the “hot trend”. That is a good thing.

As long as “green” is used as by many as a marketing gimmick to artificially inflate prices it will never catch on with the general public.

That is a common misperception about “Organics”. The reality is, Organic produce isnt “over-priced”, so-called “Conventional” is “under-priced”.

You can not save both the economy and the environment. You will have to choose between jobs and clean air.water.soil.

I do agree with you in regards to organic food examples, but I think what you are referring to is just the general product life cycle. New technology starts out strong, heavily marketed, after a certain duration passes, and new technologies emerge, the price platues and thus, creating a product life cycle.

The difference here is that, we must change to protect the environment and creat that awareness in both the residential and commercial segments. I also agree with you, that SOME have taken advantage of the “Green” word so to speak, however there are still many renewable energy sources out there that need X amount of dollars for testing, patents, long term capital in order to prove return on investment, therefore driving the prices up. I think we are talking about a business bottom dollar and social responsibility, they rarely go hand in hand!