Ecmweb 5241 Green Job Growth Slows Q3 2012
Ecmweb 5241 Green Job Growth Slows Q3 2012
Ecmweb 5241 Green Job Growth Slows Q3 2012
Ecmweb 5241 Green Job Growth Slows Q3 2012
Ecmweb 5241 Green Job Growth Slows Q3 2012

Third Quarter Green Jobs Slump Tied to Wind Tax Credit Uncertainty

Nov. 9, 2012
Although more than 10,800 jobs were announced in the clean energy sector and related industries in the third quarter of this year, a new report from E2 reveals that the strong pace of job growth in the clean energy sector is being thwarted by uncertainty over politics and policies such as the production tax credit (PTC) for the wind industry that is about to expire. By comparison, more than 37,000 jobs in the clean energy sector were created in the second quarter of this year. In the first quarter of this year, there were 46,000 clean energy jobs announced.

More than 10,800 jobs were announced in the clean energy sector and related industries in the third quarter of this year, according to the latest analysis by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2). The top 10 green job states in the third quarter of 2012 were (from No.1 to No.10): California, New York, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Texas, North Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois, and Nevada. While significant, the job growth was dramatically less than in the previous two quarters of this year — despite an improving economy.

The latest report, “What Clean Energy Jobs? These Clean Energy Jobs!” suggests that what was once strong job growth in the clean energy sector is being reined in by uncertainty over politics and policies such as the production tax credit (PTC) for the wind industry that is about to expire. By comparison, E2 tracked announcements involving more than 37,000 jobs in the clean energy sector in the second quarter. In the first quarter of this year, there were 46,000 clean energy jobs announced — more than four times as many as in the third quarter.

“These numbers show that policy matters,” said Judith Albert, executive director of E2. “With clean energy job announcements slowing down, it becomes even more important that Congress and the administration take the right steps to ensure that we don’t lose any more momentum in the clean energy sector that’s helping both our economy and our environment.”

E2 also unveiled a new online tracking tool that can be used to search for job announcements by sector and by state that can be found at www.e2.org/cleanjobs.

The third-quarter report is the latest since E2 began tracking clean energy job announcements in September 2011. E2 is a nationwide network of business leaders who advocate for good environmental policy while building economic prosperity. It is an affiliate of the Natural Resources Defense Council. For the complete report, as well as past reports, please see www.e2.org/cleanjobs.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EC&M, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Electrical Conduit Comparison Chart

CHAMPION FIBERGLASS electrical conduit is a lightweight, durable option that provides lasting savings when compared to other materials. Compare electrical conduit types including...

Fiberglass Electrical Conduit Chemical Resistance Chart

This information is provided solely as a guide since it is impossible to anticipate all individual site conditions. For specific applications which are not covered in this guide...

Considerations for Direct Burial Conduit

Installation type plays a key role in the type of conduit selected for electrical systems in industrial construction projects. Above ground, below ground, direct buried, encased...

How to Calculate Labor Costs

Most important to accurately estimating labor costs is knowing the approximate hours required for project completion. Learn how to calculate electrical labor cost.