Tennessee’s rivers have helped make it one of the top hydroelectric power producers east of the Rocky Mountains, with many hydroelectric power plants located along the Cumberland and Tennessee River systems. It is also a major nuclear power producer. In Tennessee the best opportunity for expanding employment from renewable energy may come from better connecting Tennessee’s firms (including small and medium-sized enterprises) to world-class research facilities. This offers the best chance for driving down the cost of renewable energy, which is essential if it is to be a driver of economic development.
This paper provides three main findings: i) Although renewable energy deployment is generally capital intensive, it might create some valuable employment opportunities in rural communities along the supply chain. ii) Renewable energy deployment could conflict with policies that try to hold down energy prices to attract manufacturing activities. iii) Research facilities in renewable energy could be better connected to the productive framework of their home region to build on existing strengths and maintain competitive advantage.
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