CHICAGO – As Michigan develops its state energy policy and
waits for the federal Clean Power Plan carbon standards to be finalized later
this summer, a new report from the national nonpartisan business group Environmental
Entrepreneurs shows that the state ranked No. 5 in the nation in clean energy
and clean transportation job announcements in the first three months of 2015.
This is the eighth time Michigan has cracked the top 10
since E2 began its job-tracking analysis in 2011, continuing Michigan’s stretch
as one of the top-performing states in the country when it comes to clean
energy jobs.
“Smart state policies like renewable energy and energy
efficiency standards have given Michigan a competitive advantage in the
Midwest’s growing clean energy industry,” said E2’s Midwest Advocate Gail
Parson. “For Michigan to stay ahead of the curve and continue attracting
some of the most innovative companies in the region, it should continue with
its successful clean energy standards.”
The report tracked three projects across Michigan expected
to create 616 total jobs. One project was in Sanilac County, one in neighboring
Huron County, and one in Midland County. The jobs were split practically evenly
between the wind energy and advanced vehicle sectors.
Nationally, the top three states for the quarter were:
Georgia (2,870 jobs), California (1,885) and Texas (1,612). New Mexico,
Michigan, Colorado, Virginia, Utah, Maryland and Indiana rounded out the top
10.
“Nearly 10,000 new job announcements in one quarter
shows just how fast clean energy is growing in America,” said Bob Keefe,
executive director of E2. “But building an economy increasingly fueled by
clean, renewable energy like wind and solar doesn’t happen in just one quarter.
Smart policies like the federal Clean Power Plan – which will reduce carbon
pollution from existing power plants and increase clean energy – will help keep
the job growth going.”
Final Clean Power Plan standards will be announced later
this summer. The Clean Power Plan ensures states have flexibility in developing
an implementation plan that takes into account their own unique energy mix. The
Clean Power Plan will create more jobs in Michigan and across the country by
sending a strong, clear signal to the private sector, resulting in more
investments in projects in renewable energy and energy efficiency, the report
concludes.
Across the country, solar was the top sector in Q1, with
more than 6,600 jobs announced from nearly 20 projects in solar generation and
solar manufacturing. In the wind energy sector, more than 1,400 jobs stemming
from 11 projects were announced, while biomass, energy storage, advanced
vehicles and lighting efficiency each had strong quarters nationally as well.
The complete report is available here. For more information on clean energy in Michigan –
including stories and videos showcasing specific clean energy and clean
transportation projects on military bases and communities across the state –
see www.CleanEnergyWorksForUs.org/Michigan.
