Report: California Dominates Green Tech Sector

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - California attracted nearly half of the venture capital invested worldwide in clean technology businesses during the first half of this year.

Environmentally-friendly manufacturing in Silicon Valley and other parts of the state has grown nearly 250 percent since early 2009, according to the 2010 California Green Innovation Index released Thursday.

"All around the state from San Diego to LA to Sacramento, there are very strong green undertakings happening," said Noel Perry, founder of Next 10, the non-profit that authored the report.

For example, more green technology patents were filed from California than any other state, he said.

KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:

Perry said the report contradicts rhetoric that the state's environmental regulations discourage businesses from opening in California.

"What we learned specifically about electricity-intensive industries is that from 1995 through 2008, there were new openings of approximately 82,000. There were closings of about 60,000," he said.

The most surprising finding was related to solar power. California has nearly 90 percent of all solar installations in the U.S., a trend Perry said could be traced back to the 1970s.

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