Clean energy led US energy job growth even before the hundreds of projects spurred by the Inflation Reduction Act have yet to advance beyond planning stages
WASHINGTON (June 28, 2023) — Today, the Department of Energy released its annual U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER) showing that clean energy jobs led the nation’s energy industry in job growth in 2022 and continues to grow faster than the overall workforce. The sector accounted for 43 percent of U.S. energy employment growth in 2022, before the vast majority of hundreds of new clean energy projects announced in the wake of the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate investments advanced beyond planning stages.
Following is a statement from Bob Keefe, executive director of the national, nonpartisan business group E2:
“The numbers show what we’ve already seen on the ground in almost every state: Clean energy is creating jobs, driving economic growth and improving both our economy and our environment. And we’re only getting started. These numbers don’t even include the more than 60,000 jobs tied to new projects announced since the passage of groundbreaking federal climate policies like the Inflation Reduction Act.
“We are clearly in the first stages of the biggest and most important economic transition in America in generations.”
Since August, E2 has tracked major clean energy projects tied directly to the Inflation Reduction Act. Nearly 200 projects have been announced in 35 states, including more than $83 billion in investments and 63,000 jobs.
In August, E2 will release its eighth annual Clean Jobs America report, breaking down clean energy jobs by sector, state, technology, county and metropolitan area. The report will feature a brand-new interactive map to explore the numbers down to the county level and is based on this year’s USEER data, which E2 has been a part of since it’s inception.
More Resources
Clean Energy Project Announcement Tracker: Since the IRA was signed into law last August, there have been at least 180 clean energy project and expansion announcements across 35 states, representing $83.4 billion in investments and an expected 63,000 new jobs.
Previous Clean Jobs America reports:
- Clean Jobs America 2022
- Clean Jobs America 2021
- Clean Jobs America 2020
- Clean Jobs America 2019
- Clean Jobs America 2018
- Clean Jobs America 2017
- Clean Jobs America 2016
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E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.