The University of New Hampshire, Durham, and the State of New Hampshire announced Tuesday that they will join forces to spark an initiative to drive green jobs in New Hampshire as a means to boost the state’s economy and reduce its carbon footprint.
The program, dubbed The Green Launching Pad, will aid companies both new and old in their process of shifting to or developing green jobs and adopting energy efficiency. At UNH, research will focus on engineering, energy efficiency and developing sound business models and practices for a green economy.
"We are focused on helping New Hampshire businesses get back to work today and ensuring that we are growing the jobs of the future right here in New Hampshire. This exciting partnership between the state and the University of New Hampshire will allow us to continue to grow new businesses and new jobs," Governor John Lynch said at the Durham campus Tuesday morning.
The program was founded by UNH professor Ross Gittell, Jesse DeVitte, founder and CEO of New Hampshire-based Borealis Ventures, and Richard Ober, vice president of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
George Hurtt, natural resources professor at UNH, aided in developing the model.
Every year, the program will solicit submissions and ideas from companies and individuals with ideas for green products, technologies and programs, and award up to $90,000 to those approved.
"This will make it possible for even more companies to create the technologies that will reduce pollution, reduce energy costs and provide new sources of energy," Lynch said.
In 2009, UNH announced a program to cut carbon emissions in half by 2020. The university receives 85 percent of its power for electricity from the methane gas produced at a nearby landfill rather than use purified natural gas, which is both expensive and harmful to the environment.