A study done for the trade group Advanced Energy Economy says that industry can claim 400 companies and 25,000 jobs in Ohio. Kimberly Gibson says that includes jobs in solar and wind power, making fuel cells and biofuels and in energy efficient construction. 

“It’s really hard to compete with the din of oil and gas right now in Ohio and in the Midwest. We think that’s an incredibly important part of the economy. But there’s a lot of other things.”

Christopher Guith with the US Chamber of Commerce says he has no reason to doubt the study, but that dependence on oil, natural gas and coal will continue for many decades.

“But that doesn’t mean that it’s not important to be looking and developing the new sources or the new technologies that can bridge us into the future.”

The US Chamber is launching a campaign in Ohio to note the impact of the oil and natural gas boom on jobs with drillers and on those in lodging, retail and construction equipment.

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Ohio has a vibrant alternative and advanced energy industry, according to a trade group that represents companies that are in that category. A study conducted by for the trade group Advanced Energy Economy says the industry can claim 400 companies and 25,000 jobs in Ohio. That includes companies that work with solar and wind power, that make fuel cells and biofuels, and that work with battery and electric vehicle technologies. But most of those jobs are in energy efficient construction and building materials.

Graham Richard is the CEO of Advanced Energy Economy, and says the industry nationwide will grow by a trillion dollars over the next 20 years with secure jobs that last. Richard says AEE does not depend on government subsidies to get companies off the ground.

“Increasingly, we don’t. What you’re seeing is that many of the businesses are out there today making their commitments based upon market conditions. “

The study was done by the Advanced Energy Economy Institute, the trade group’s educational outreach arm.  Executive Director Kimberly Gibson says part of the reason for the study is to draw attention to the impact these businesses and jobs are having on the Ohio economy.

“It’s really hard to compete with the din of oil and gas right now in Ohio and in the Midwest. We think that’s an incredibly important part of the economy and the future of the state. But there’s a lot of other things.”

Meanwhile, the companies in the oil and gas drilling industry say they’re concerned they’re not getting enough credit for the jobs they create. Christopher Guith with the US Chamber of Commerce says “the Shale Works for Us” campaign will draw attention to the impact of jobs directly related to drilling in shale deposits in Ohio – and in sectors outside that industry.

“...whether it be steel, manufacturing, petrochemicals, and in some of the areas that aren’t covered quite as well like lodging, retail, construction equipment.”

And Guith says this campaign was in the works long before Gov. John Kasich announced his proposal to raise the severance tax on oil and natural gas drillers to lower the state income tax, an idea which some chambers have opposed and a few have supported. The U.S. Chamber and the Ohio Chamber have not taken positions on the proposal.  As for the advanced energy study, Guith says he has no evidence to doubt the stats, but says there’s room for both traditional energy companies and new ones.

“We’re going to be dependent upon natural gas and oil and – frankly – coal for many decades to come. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not important to be looking and developing the new sources or the new technologies that can bridge us into the future much further down the line.”

But Guith adds that almost 9 percent of the jobs created last year were in the oil and natural gas industry, and he says they’re well-paying jobs that are being created without what he calls the intervention of the federal or the state government.