Study Says ''Green'' Jobs Limited

Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick touts ''clean energy'' for economic growth in the state, putting millions into the industry, but the New England Economic Partnership downplays its significance for the economy.

Economists at the New England Economic Partnership (Partnership) say green jobs probably won't be produced in massive numbers that would significantly change the nature of the economy of Massachusetts.

More bluntly, the Partnership believes clean energy ''cannot be relied upon as the next growth engine'' for the region. While the economists at the Partnership see opportunities to invest in green energy, they assert it can't be counted on as a single source of new growth.

The ''green economy'' in the state, even by its broad definition, accounts for only about four percent of the employment, according to the Partnership.

The Patrick administration believes the sector has a bright future, but that clean energy start-up companies will take some time to evolve.

Ian Bowles, Patrick's secretary of energy and environmental affairs, notes the environmental imperative to reduce carbon emissions will mean trillions of dollars of energy infrastructure being replaced over the coming decades, which will create large markets in the state and nationally.