Nearly 47,000 clean energy and clean transportation jobs were announced at more than 170 projects across the country in 2014, according to jobs tracking analysis by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2).
Nevada, California, and New York led the nation in new job announcements last year, followed by Michigan, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Utah, and New Mexico. Despite the continued growth, ongoing uncertainty over public policy at both the federal and state levels, coupled with the expiration of beneficial tax policies, continued to cast a cloud over clean energy industries, resulting in fewer announcements than in the past. In 2013, for instance, more than 78,000 new clean energy and clean transportation jobs were announced at 260 projects.
In 2014, the solar industry led all sectors in clean energy, thanks to declining materials prices and favorable public policies, including the federal Investment Tax Credit and state Renewable Portfolio Standards. More than 20,000 solar-related jobs were announced at 60-plus projects.
The advanced vehicle sector also had a strong year, with more than 9,000 jobs announced. Tesla Motors’ announcement of a 6,500-employee “Gigafactory” helped make Nevada the No. 1 state for clean energy jobs in the country. In Michigan, General Motors announced plans to hire 1,400 workers for its electric vehicles division.