Report Highlights Clean Energy Job Growth In Wisconsin And Midwest

Jobs in energy efficiency, renewable energy and other clean energy sectors continue to grow in Wisconsin, according to a new report released by Clean Energy Trust, an Illinois-based nonprofit and funder of early-stage clean technology firms, and Environmental Entrepreneurs, a national, nonpartisan business group.

The annual report, called 2017 Clean Jobs Midwest, found the number of people working in clean energy jobs in Wisconsin grew by about 1,700 last year, or 7 percent, amounting to more than 26,000 clean energy jobs in the state.

Erik Birkerts of Clean Energy Trust says the report also showed growth throughout most of the 12-state Midwest region.

“While the Midwest has witnessed declining manufacturing employment over the years, what this report does is highlight the importance of clean energy jobs in filling the gap for the region’s workforce,” Birkerts said Thursday on a teleconference.

The report shows most of Wisconsin’s clean energy jobs are in the energy efficiency sector, an area focused on the goal of reducing the amount of energy required to provide products and services, like using LED light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs, or purchasing EnergyStar appliances. But the greatest percentage growth was in renewables, especially solar energy. However, as a percentage of the statewide workforce, clean energy jobs in Wisconsin remained below 1 percent, the lowest in the Midwest.

Gail Parson, Environmental Entrepreneurs Midwest states advocate, says she hopes the report helps convince policymakers that clean energy is a significant part of the economy.

“You know, I think some people still think of clean energy as something from “The Jetsons,” or something, and this report shows we have people employed in every state, every county, doing clean energy work,” Parson said.

However, the report’s authors say there’s concern that some Trump administration budget proposals could stall additional employment in the clean energy sector.