More than 2.5 million people work in clean energy related employment across the United States, with 414,000 of those jobs in renewable energy.
The Clean Jobs In America report states energy efficiency is the largest clean energy sector, accounting for nearly 1.9 million workers. 328,000 of those people work in the energy efficient lighting industry and 162,000 are involved with building Energy Star appliances.
With regard to renewable energy, approximately 300,000 of the 414,000 jobs are related to solar power and more than 77,000 people work in America’s wind energy industry. According to the Solar Foundation’s USA National Solar Jobs Census 2015, solar industry employment grew 12 times faster than the overall US workforce last year.
Advanced vehicles is another significant employer, accounting for nearly 170,000 jobs. This is expected to continue to grow as the US auto industry shifts increasingly towards natural gas (questionably “clean”), hybrid and pure-play electric vehicle technologies. One of the drivers in the advanced vehicle sector is the 54.5-mpg (5.2 litres per 100 kms) fuel standard finalized in 2012.
“In a short amount of time, clean energy has become a huge part of our workforce and our economy,” said Bob Keefe, E2’s executive director.
“Smart policies helped jump-start this industry, and smart policies will keep these made-in-America jobs growing – and help our environment along the way.”
Crucial to future growth is US President Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan.
“The Clean Power Plan is not just our nation’s most significant policy on climate change, it also is expected to be a major economic catalyst,” states the report.
While the Clean Power Plan was paused by the U.S. Supreme Court in February this year, the expectation is that it will go forward.
The Clean Jobs In America report was published by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), a collective advocating for smart policies that are good for the USA’s economy and good for the environment.
According to E2, its members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, generated more than 600,000 jobs and manage more than USD $100 billion in venture and private equity capital.
The full Clean Jobs In America report can be viewed here (PDF).
