North Carolina is well positioned to lead in green jobs and investment, according to a new report released Monday by the Pew Charitable Trusts.

The report found jobs in North Carolina's clean energy economy grew twice as fast as overall jobs in the past decade at a rate of 15.3 percent.

Traditional jobs in North Carolina grew by 6.4 percent between 1998-2007.

The state exceeded the national average for growth in this industry of 9.1 percent.

North Carolina outpaced all but 12 states in venture capital, bringing in more than $82 million in the past three years.

At latest count, the state accounted for 17,000 green jobs.

The report's lead researcher, Kil Huh, said North Carolina is particularly strong in energy efficiency jobs as well as training and support jobs.

A clean energy business leader out of Charlotte hailed the study.

"Sencera International Corporation is proud to be part of North Carolina's clean energy economy, which is here today - and which is the future for North Carolina and North Carolinians," said Joel Olsen, Director of Business Development. "Today, the U.S. currently represents a small fraction of the world demand for solar panels. But that can be changed through smart policies."

State Senator Josh Stein, (D- Wake County), said "plain and simple clean energy means jobs."

He is pushing to expand North Carolina's renewable energy tax credits to the year 2017.

Stein predicts the expanded credits may create 9,200 new jobs by 2010.

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