More than 58 clean energy and transportation projects, launched across the US in the second quarter of 2013, have led to the creation of 38,600 new jobs in the sector, according to a recent report by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2).The number of jobs is slightly higher for Q2 of 2013 than it was for the same period in 2012 (37,400), according to the report.
More than 58 clean energy and transportation projects, launched across the US in the second quarter of 2013, have led to the creation of 38,600 new jobs in the sector, according to a recent report by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2).
The number of jobs is slightly higher for Q2 of 2013 than it was for the same period in 2012 (37,400), according to the report.
Many of these jobs were created within 10 states: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon and Texas. California led the way with 12 new projects that will create 9,000 jobs in the cleantech sector, followed by Hawaii and Maryland, which were new to the top 10 list.
In Maryland, a $2.6 billion, 20-station, 14-mile expansion to the Baltimore light-rail system aims to combat traffic congestion and lower pollution while creating 4,200 construction jobs for laying new tracks and building new stations by 2021. And energy efficiency projects in government buildings are expected to create 5,000 jobs in Hawaii over the next several years.
Solar energy projects across the country represented 10,400 of the new jobs, according to the report. Weatherization projects in Alaska will help create 600 jobs and a hybrid heavy-duty vehicle project in Indiana will lead to 300 jobs.
Kansas and Missouri became part of the top 10 states for the first time, largely because of upgrades to 3,500 megawatts of wind energy transmission lines that will deliver power to other states. The project is expected to create 5,500 jobs to plan, construct and manage the new lines and will be completed by 2018.
Polices such as President Obama’s climate change initiative, announced in June of this year, along with the recent extension of renewable energy standards in some states, promise to keep the momentum going.
Earlier this week, Johnson Controls, Sunpower and 20 other solar companies were awarded $7 billion in contracts by the Department of Defense. The 22 winning companies were chosen from 114 firms that submitted bids for the contracts and will now bid against one another to sell solar energy to the U.S. Army on a project-by-project basis.
Published Aug 30, 2013 2am EDT / 11pm PDT / 7am BST / 8am CEST
Managing Director, Sustainability & Social Impact
Deutsche Bank
Mike Hower is a sustainability communicator and connector committed to helping purpose-driven businesses and people unlock their full potential for positive impact. As founder and principal consultant at Hower Impact, he works with companies to translate sustainability strategy into stories that inform, engage and inspire investors, customers, employees, regulators and other stakeholders in the service of social, environmental and business goals. Through his Impact Hired initiative, he works to connect and engage corporate sustainability professionals at all stages of their careers.
(read more ...)