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More than 110,000 clean energy and transportation jobs were created in 2012 thanks to more than 300 projects in the U.S., according to a report by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2).
California, North Carolina and Florida led the nation with clean energy jobs created in 2012, followed by Illinois, Connecticut, Arizona, New York, Michigan, Texas and Oregon.
“State policies have done a lot to drive growth in the clean energy industry,” said Judith Albert, executive director of E2. “If lawmakers care about creating good, clean energy jobs in their neighborhoods, they should continue supporting those policies. If not, they can sit back and watch these good-paying jobs go elsewhere.”
The Southeast region led the country in manufacturing-related jobs, with more than 13,700 spot announced in 2012, or 80 percent of the U.S. total. Solar, advanced vehicles and wind were the leading industries in the region.
However, the delays in passing the Production Tax Credit (PTC) caused wind developers to cancel projects and layoff workers. Wind job announcements dropped about 60 percent in 2012 due to uncertainty over the PTC. Congress extended the tax credit through 2013 for projects that are already under construction.
The number of positions announced fell to about 3,600 in 4Q 2012, down from about 6,000 in 3Q 2012.
To read the full report, click here.
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