West Coast Cities Top U.S. Metro Clean Tech Index

Clean Edge’s First Annual Metro Index Highlights Leadership and Best Practices Among 50 Largest Metro Regions

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clean Edge today released its first annual U.S. Metro Clean Tech Index that provides the industry’s most comprehensive and objective analysis of how the 50 largest U.S. metro regions compare across the clean-tech spectrum. The Index is based on nearly two dozen metrics such as hybrid electric vehicles, certified green buildings, and clean-tech venture capital investments. All quantitative metrics are levelized to account for population size.

“But other regions show significant strengths and assets, from Chicago and Washington D.C. to Austin and Salt Lake City, representing the diversity of clean-tech leadership and activities across the nation.”

“West Coast metro regions, which have been at the forefront of regional clean-tech efforts and have strong state support, dominate the inaugural U.S. Metro Clean Tech Index,” said Clean Edge Managing Director Ron Pernick. “But other regions show significant strengths and assets, from Chicago and Washington D.C. to Austin and Salt Lake City, representing the diversity of clean-tech leadership and activities across the nation.”

Six of the top seven metro regions in clean tech are on the West Coast and the seventh, No. 6 Denver, is also west of the Mississippi. The top 10 metro regions in this year’s Index are:

1. San Jose

2. San Francisco

3. Portland

4. Sacramento

5. Seattle

6. Denver

7. Los Angeles

8. Washington DC

9. Boston

10. Austin

The Metro Index assesses clean-tech leadership in metro areas across four categories: green buildings; advanced transportation; clean electricity and carbon management; and clean-tech investment, innovation and workforce. The Metro Index paints an important and insightful picture of the U.S. clean-tech landscape.

Other highlights from this year’s research include:

• Portland, Oregon has more LEED-certified green-building projects per capita than any other metro region, but Las Vegas earns the green-building crown for total LEED square footage per capita.
• The top metro regions with the largest share of electric vehicles on the road are all in California – San Francisco/San Jose, Los Angeles/Riverside, Sacramento and San Diego.
• Raleigh, North Carolina has the lowest carbon emissions (metric tons per capita) from large facilities.
• Boston, San Jose and Salt Lake City lead the nation with the most licensable clean technologies coming out of their university labs, per capita.
• Just four metro regions have the presence of a Department of Energy lab, a Clean Energy Alliance Incubator and a top-ranked green MBA program: Chicago, Denver, New York and San Jose.

An executive summary of this year’s Metro Index is available for download at www.cleanedge.com/research/metro-index. The executive summary provides a glimpse at topline findings from the Metro Index, the centerpiece of a larger advisory subscription service that provides access to both the State and Metro Indexes, underlying datasets, and advisory services. Current Index clients include regional, state, and city economic development agencies, leading foundations, diversified multinationals, and energy and environment-focused nonprofits. For more information on subscription packages and advisory services please contact Bryce Yonker, Clean Edge Director of Business Development at 503-206-8448 or [e-mail].

Clean Edge leverages public and private data to generate leadership scores. Private data partners include Cleantech Group, Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti P.C., InnovateTech Ventures, and R.L. Polk & Co.

About Clean Edge

Clean Edge, Inc., founded in 2000, is the world’s first research and advisory firm devoted to the clean-tech sector. Clean Edge managing director Ron Pernick and senior editor Clint Wilder released their latest book, Clean Tech Nation (HarperCollins) in September 2012, offering a bipartisan Seven Point Action Plan for Repowering America (www.cleantechnation.com). For more than a decade the firm has delivered timely data, expert analysis, and comprehensive insights to governments, corporations, investors, foundations, and nonprofits. The company offers an unparalleled suite of index, benchmarking, and advisory services including the State Clean Energy and U.S. Metro Clean Tech Indexes, sponsored publications including the annual Clean Energy Trends report, and benchmark clean-tech stock indexes with NASDAQ^®. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech trends or learn more about our services, visit www.cleanedge.com.