Clean Energy CAN Create More Jobs IF…
we create policies and take actions that moves us from our dependence on fossil fuels and grows our domestic clean energy economy.
In April, the Center for American Progress release the report Taking Action on Clean Energy and Climate Protection in 2012: A Menu of Effective and Feasible Solutions. Authors Jason Walsh and Kate Gordon make a strong argument that the clean energy economy is growing, but has the potential to grow even more if we all implement the solutions they list.
By transitioning our energy infrastructure from capital-intensive, risky, and often highly polluting energy sources to clean, labor-intensive energy sources we can create many new jobs, grow our middle class, ensure greater energy security, and protect our nation and planet from the predictable ravages of unchecked climate change.
In the Report Appendix pages 66-70, the authors create a simple chart that outlines their solutions under the three goals they outline and break down action steps at federal level, local/state/regional levels, and by private sector. Solutions include things from extending the federal production tax credit for wind to creating industry partnerships that link economic and workforce development in states’ regional economies to prioritizing energy efficiency at corporate headquarters, across stores and manufacturing plants, and in supply chain.
Clean energy jobs are not created in a vacuum, but need the right mix of support at all levels.
This post is by Tricia Maguire, editor of the SkillWorks’ Green Jobs Blog. SkillWorks is a public/private partnership that seeks to address the needs of employers for more skilled workers and of workers for more and better access to jobs that pay a family-supporting wage.
Recycling Report Released & Globe Coverage!!
SkillWorks, the Environmental Business Council of New England, and MassRecycle released the report, Recycling and Jobs in Massachusetts: A Study of Current and Future Workforce Needs just in time for Earth Day this past Sunday, April 22.
The Boston Globe covered the report release in their Business section on Saturday, April 21st: Recycling industry poised for hiring: Workers already in short supply, study reports.
Report highlights:
- MA has over 2,000 recycling companies that employ close to 14,000 people with a payroll approaching $500 million annually.
- Recycling activities include collection, processing, remanufacturing, organics management, reuse, and deconstruction.
- Despite the slow economy, the private sector projects 10% growth or adding over 1,200 new jobs in the next 2 years and the public sector projects 5% growth.
- Both public and private sector employers reported difficulty finding applicants with relevant technical skills, professional skills, and work experience.
- Recommendations include better connections to the workforce development system, middle skills training to develop career pathways, and a regional economic development approach for the recycling industry.
Gov. Patrick Announces Clean Energy Job Growth
Governer Patrick, Secretary Sullivan, and Geoff Chapin at Next Step Living
This afternoon I was at Next Step Living where Governor Patrick and Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Sullivan announced the release of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s (MassCEC) 2011 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report.
The report identified:
- 4,909 clean energy companies in MA
- 6.7% increase in jobs between July 2010 and July 2011
- expected employment growth rate of 15.2% from July 2011 to July 2012
Click here for the MassCEC Release
Click here for the full 2011 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report
Enough about Weatherization – Let’s talk Solar!!
I am not saying that weatherization is not important, but I feel like green jobs conversations primarily focus on weatherization and I am close to hitting my saturation point!
The recently released U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report, “Careers in Solar Power” gives us a perfect excuse to talk about something other than weatherization. The first few lines of the report point to the huge missed opportunity if we do not start talking solar:
Sunlight is the most abundant source of potential energy on the planet. If harnessed properly, sunlight could easily exceed current and future electricity demand. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, every hour, enough energy from the sun reaches Earth to meet the world’s energy usage for an entire year.
Not to oversimplify, but WOW!! Solar power is clean energy and abundant enough to potentially take care of the world’s energy usage? We definitely need to talk solar and work on making it affordable for everyone.
Once you get past the first part of the BLS report that discusses the technical side of solar power generation, the report devotes many pages to the solar power workforce needs. The workforce implications of increased use of solar are many and run the skills gamut. BLS gives a run down of solar power occupations, job duties, credentials, and wages:
- Scientific Research: physicists; chemists; material scientists
- Solar Power Engineering: materials, chemical, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineers; computer software developers; engineering technicians
- Manufacturing for Solar Power: semiconductor processors; computer-controlled machine tool operators; welding, soldering, and brazing workers; glaziers; coating and painting machine setters, operators, and tenders; electrical and electronics installers and repairers; electrical and electronic equipment assemblers; industrial production managers
- Solar Power Plan Development: real estate brokers; atmospheric scientists; environmental scientists
- Solar Power Plant Construction: construction managers; civil engineers; construction laborers; construction equipment operators; welders; structural iron and steel workers
- Solar Power Plant Operations: power plant operators; pump operators; electricians; plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters; electrical and electronics installers and repairers; electrical engineers
- Solar Panel Installation and Maintenance: solar photovoltaic installers; site assessors; electricians; plumbers; roofers
This post is by Tricia Maguire, editor of the SkillWorks’ Green Jobs Blog. SkillWorks is a public/private partnership that seeks to address the needs of employers for more skilled workers and of workers for more and better access to jobs that pay a family-supporting wage.
Green Justice Coalition Issue Brief & 9/22 Community Action Forum
On September 9, 2010, the Green Justice Coalition released the issue brief -
Massachusetts’ 3-Year Energy Efficiency Plans: Creating Access for All?
On September 22, 2010 @ 6pm the Green Justice Coalition is hosting a
Community Action Forum on Green Jobs and Home Weatherization
@ Our Lady of Lourdes in Jamaica Plain
