FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT: Patrick Mitchell, 703-276-3266, [email protected].
Top 10 Counties for Clean Energy Jobs: Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Santa Clara, Sacramento, Alameda, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Contra Costa
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SACRAMENTO (June 19, 2017) – More than 519,000 Californians work in the clean energy sector, according to an analysis unveiled today by the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs).
Additionally, California’s climate policies, including cap-and-trade, have driven $45.5 billion in clean economy investments in the state while half of the $1.2 billion implemented via California’s cap-and-trade program benefits disadvantaged communities.
The analysis – available here – is based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Department of Energy, as well as a comprehensive survey of thousands of businesses across California. It includes jobs in industries like energy efficiency, wind and solar. The analysis also details expenditures from the state’s cap-and-trade program, as well as other investments stemming from other California climate policies.
The analysis comes as Gov. Jerry Brown pushes the state legislature to extend California’s historic cap-and-trade program beyond 2020. If passed, the legislation would help grow California’s clean energy economy by ensuring California hits its target of slashing carbon emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.
“With $45.5 billion being invested into California, we’ve shown that climate policies strengthen our communities – both environmentally and economically,” said Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, who represents District 56 spanning the Imperial and Coachella valleys.
The top 10 California counties for clean energy jobs are: Los Angeles (117,000 jobs), San Diego (61,500), Orange (45,200), Santa Clara (34,300), Sacramento (23,700), Alameda (22,100), Riverside (20,500), San Bernardino (19,800), San Francisco (18,200), and Contra Costa (13,300).
The top 10 metro areas are: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Anna (161,400 jobs), San Francisco-Oakland-Freemont (72,200), San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos (61,100), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario (40,100), Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Roseville (38,500), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara (34,000), California’s Combined Non-Metropolitan Areas (18,700), Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura (10,900), Santa Rosa-Petaluma (9,400) and Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta (8,900).
A new statewide fact sheet available here provides a snapshot of California’s clean energy economy.
E2’s analysis also includes a detailed breakdown of the clean energy economy – from jobs to investments to emission reductions – in every Senate and Assembly district in the state. (Assembly district analyses: 1-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80).
Highlights from E2’s analysis:
- About 519,500 Californians now work in clean energy, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and clean vehicles.
- In the past 10 years, California’s climate policies, including cap-and-trade, have driven $45.5 billion in clean economy investments – from both the public sector and matches from the private sector.
- Half of the $1.2 billion implemented via California’s cap-and-trade program benefits disadvantaged communities.
- Looking at specific parts of the state:
- About 99 percent of cap-and-trade funds directed toward Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra’s district ( 39) north of Los Angeles benefit disadvantaged communities.
- In Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry’s district ( 4) covering Napa and Davis, nearly $900 million has been invested in clean energy, transportation and climate projects. There are 10,400 clean energy jobs in the district, which ranks No. 6 in the entire Assembly when it comes to the total number of in-district renewable energy projects, with 12,494.
- The 3,900-plus projects under the cap-and-trade program in Assemblywoman Catharine Baker’s district ( 16) in the East Bay have helped slash greenhouse gases emissions by 193,130 metric tons.
“In every corner of the state, California’s climate action has proven to be a job creator and a big economic boon,” said Bob Keefe, executive director of E2, which has three chapters in California and about 500 members across the state. “Especially with the dearth of leadership we now have in Washington, D.C., business leaders and investors – along with rest of the world – are watching and hoping California’s lawmakers will do the right thing to keep our clean economy growing.”
E2 released a similar analysis in August 2016 leading up to the passage of SB32, the bill that extended and strengthened California’s emissions targets under the Global Warming Solutions Act. E2’s new analysis shows significant increases statewide in the economic benefits of clean energy and climate action.
California business leaders who support extending the cap-and-trade program beyond 2020 are available for interviews.
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Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) 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 @e2org.