Clean Energy Jobs Surge, Doubling U.S. Employment Growth in 2023 – ESG News

• Clean energy job growth doubled the overall U.S. job rate in 2023, adding 142,000 jobs.
• Unionization in clean energy surpassed the broader energy sector for the first time.
• Major growth in solar, wind, and zero-emission vehicle sectors due to federal policies and investments.

Clean energy jobs in the U.S. are on the rise, growing at more than double the rate of the overall job market in 2023. The U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER) highlighted that clean energy employment increased by 4.2%, compared to the national average of 2%. This growth added 142,000 jobs in sectors like wind, solar, nuclear, and battery storage, contributing to over half of all new energy jobs last year.

For the first time, the unionization rate in clean energy, at 12.4%, surpassed the overall energy sector rate of 11%. This shift was driven by significant growth in the construction and utility industries, bolstered by legislative support such as the CHIPS Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. “The data clearly show that clean energy means jobs – good jobs, union jobs, and jobs retained – in communities across the country,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

Employment in the utility-scale and rooftop solar industries grew by 5.3%, adding over 18,000 jobs. Despite challenges like high interest rates and changes to net metering in states like California, solar continues to expand, alongside wind energy, which also reported strong job growth. The Inflation Reduction Act is expected to double the share of electricity generation from clean sources by 2030, further driving job creation.

Beyond renewable energy generation, the clean energy sector saw an increase in jobs related to manufacturing and supply chains. In 2023, 28,000 jobs were added in areas such as battery and solar module factories, offshore wind ports, and clean energy product warehouses. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler praised these developments, stating, “With union density in clean energy at record highs, it’s clear we can create good jobs and advance a cleaner economy at the same time.“

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Overall energy jobs rose by 250,000 in 2023, with clean energy making up 56% of this growth. The report also showed a mixed performance in the fossil fuel sector, where natural gas jobs grew by 13.3%, but petroleum jobs fell by 6%. Coal employment continued to decline as the energy industry shifts towards cleaner alternatives.

As the U.S. continues to invest in clean energy infrastructure, the outlook for energy jobs remains robust, with long-term growth expected across multiple sectors. “Our policies are working,” Granholm noted, emphasizing the enduring impact of recent federal investments in America’s clean energy future.