Despite Headwinds, US Clean Energy Industry Continued to Create Jobs in 2Q
As many as 37,409 clean energy jobs could be created as a result of the more than 70 major clean energy projects announced across the US in 2Q, according to a study from Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), a national group of business leaders advocating for sound economic and environmental policies.
Applauding the clean energy employment gains made in the US in the second quarter of the year, E2 also notes that the looming expiration of the federal production tax credit (PTC) is already dampening further gains in the wind power sector.
In its latest “Clean Energy Jobs Roundup” report, E2 tracked 12 wind power generation project announcements that it has estimated will create some 2,300 jobs. That compares to the 31 wind power projects announced in 1Q with a likelihood of adding more than 9,100 green jobs to US employment rolls.
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Good News and Bad News
“The good news is that despite the challenging economic and political environment, the clean energy industry is still creating badly needed American jobs all across the country,” commented E2 executive director Judith Albert. “The bad news is that the threats to the wind industry because of uncertainty over the Production Tax Credit are very real, and are already taking its toll on job creation in that sector.”
Following are the top 10 US states for 2Q clean energy job creation, according to E2:
1. California (16 projects announced with 20,879 possible jobs)
2. Florida (3 projects announced with 7,375 possible jobs)
3. New York (3 projects announced with 1,408 possible jobs)
4. Michigan (9 projects announced with 1,319 possible jobs)
5. Colorado (2 projects announced with 1,100 possible jobs)
6. Ohio (4 projects announced with 712 possible jobs)
7. New Jersey (2 projects announced with 600 possible jobs)
8. Illinois (4 projects announced with 542 possible jobs)
9. Nebraska (1 project announced with 500 possible jobs)
10. Mississippi (1 project announced with 426 possible jobs)
Other key findings in the report include:
- Clean energy projects were announced in 30 states in the second quarter. Nearly one-third of the announcements were in Midwest states, including Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois
- Clean energy projects cross over party lines. A total of 35 clean energy projects were announced in Democratic districts and 31 in Republican districts. Nine projects spanned districts represented by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers
- Public transportation, electric vehicle manufacturing and power generation announcements led the clean energy sector for job growth.
A full copy of E2’s second quarter “Clean Energy Jobs Roundup” is available free for download on its website.
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