Green Jobs

A NOTE FROM BILL MacDERMOTT OWNER, CLEVELAND SOLAR & WIND, ON GREEN JOBS

The American Solar Energy Society released the latest update of our groundbreaking study on green jobs.It's posted at: www.ases.org/greenjobs...

"In 2007, the American Solar Energy Society (ASES) and Management Information Services, Inc. (MISI) undertook the first comprehensive study of the size and scope of the renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) industries. Prior to this work, the basic knowledge of the economic impact of these industries was not well documented. RE&EE technologies and programs have been around for decades and are well understood. However, the literature review ASES/MISI conducted in 2007 revealed deficiencies in the existing analyses of the and jobs impacts of RE&EE technologies and initiatives.

www.ases.org/greenjobs2006 and www.ases.org respectively.

In 2008, ASES/MISI updated their research with 2007 data.
Green Collar Jobs in the U.S. and Colorado is a summary of Defining, Estimating, and Forecasting the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Industries in the U.S. and in Colorado, which details that work. Both are available as free downloads at www.ases.org/greenjobs2007 and www.ases.org respectively.

Green Collar Jobs

One of the major contributions of our 2007 work was to develop a rigorous definition of the RE&EE industries. It is an easy call if the RE&EE product or service exists as a distinct, specified entity, but this was rarely the case—especially for the EE industry. In most instances only some of a company’s or organization’s offerings could be classified as part of the RE&EE industries, and quantifying the size of the RE&EE contribution was a challenge.

In the end, there was no simple definitive answer. In effect, ASES/MISI is acting as the definer and “benchmarker” of the industry as it evolves. In the process, we decided that focusing on RE&EE jobs might be a useful approach. For example, under the broad industry definition, an employee working in a private RE company or for an RE&EE advocacy organization would constitute a RE&EE job, as would an employee of the federal or a state RE&EE agency.

Of course, there were ambiguities here too. Most people would agree that the positions in a firm that assembles and installs solar thermal collectors would be considered RE&EE jobs. But what about the jobs involved in producing those solar panels, especially if the factory involved uses coal-based energy, one of the most controversial fossil fuels in terms of emissions?

In addition, we found that the vast majority of the jobs created by RE&EE are standard jobs for accountants, engineers, computer analysts, clerks, factory workers, truck drivers, mechanics, and other workers. Thus, in our definition, the RE&EE industry encompasses all aspects of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and includes both the direct and indirect jobs created in both these sectors.

Specifically, here are our definitions of jobs within the RE&EE industries for the purposes of this study. We anticipate that these definitions will become the standard for future researchers examining the RE&EE industries.

Executive Summary

• Developing a Definition

In our definition, the RE&EE industry encompasses all aspects of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and includes both the direct and indirect jobs created in both these sectors. in the U.S. and Colorado A job in the RE industry consists of an employee working in one of the major RE technologies—wind, photovoltaics, solar thermal, hydroelectric power, geothermal, biomass (ethanol, biodiesel, and biomass power), and fuel cells and hydrogen. A job in the EE industry consists of an employee working in a sector that is entirely part of the EE industry, such as an energy service company (ESCO) or the recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing sector. It also includes some employees in industries in which only a portion of the output is classified as within the EE sector, such as household appliances, HVAC systems, construction, automobile manufacturing, and others. Finally, in this study, jobs in RE&EE include persons involved in RE&EE activities in federal, state, and local government, universities, nonprofits, trade and professional associations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foundations, consultancies, investment companies (analysts, for example), and other related organizations.
 
The 84 page "summary" is here:
http://www.ases.org/images/stories/ASES/pdfs/CO_Jobs_Rpt_Jan2009_summary.pdf

Here is the e-mail I received on it...

 
Friends of ASES,

We're all concerned about the economy these days, so I thought you might appreciate a little good news -- and to hear about a simple way you can help get the economy back on track.

This morning the American Solar Energy Society released the latest update of our groundbreaking study on green jobs.

It's posted at: www.ases.org/greenjobs

The ASES Green Collar Jobs report provides a sector-by-sector analysis of the green economy, the most detailed analysis yet. This report makes it easier to navigate the tremendous opportunities, and challenges, in the rapidly changing renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.

And the potential is huge.

This report forecasts up to 37 million jobs from the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries in the U.S. by 2030 -- but this will only happen with the necessary leadership, research, development, and public policy.

That's where you come it.

First, I hope you'll check out this report so you can see for yourself the huge opportunity in front of all of us.

But there's another important step to turn this information into action.

We need to ensure that every key policy-maker and elected offical -- from the Obama Administration to your State leaders and even the City Council -- is aware of this new analysis and the important role that the green economy must play to get the economy back on track.

Can you please contact your elected officials to tell them about this report and urge them to make growing the green economy a priority this year?

Please let them know they can download this free report at: www.ases.org/greenjobs

This small step will go a long way to creating a sustainable energy economy. Thank you for your help.

Regards,

Brad Collins
Executive Director,
American Solar Energy Society


PS. You can find the names of your elected officials here.


PPS. The results of this report are powerful. Here are a few of the findings:

·    As many as 37 million jobs can be generated by the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries in the U.S. by 2030 -- more than 17% of all anticipated U.S. employment.

·    The renewable energy industry grew more than three times as fast as the U.S. economy in 2007 (not including hydropower). Renewable energy is also growing more rapidly than the energy efficiency industry, but the energy efficiency industry is currently much larger than the renewable energy industry.

·    Renewable energy and energy efficiency currently provide more than 9 million jobs and $1,045 billion in revenue in the U.S. (2007).  The previous year (2006) renewable energy and energy efficiency represented 8.5 million jobs and $972 billion in revenue.

·    95% of the jobs are in private industry.

·    Hottest sectors include solar thermal, solar photovoltaics, biofuels, and fuel cells (in terms of revenue growth).

·    Hot job areas include electricians, mechanical engineers, welders, metal workers, construction managers, accountants, analysts, environmental scientists, and chemists.  The vast majority of jobs created by the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries are in the same types of roles seen in other industries (accountants, factory workers, IT professionals, etc).

·    Renewable energy and energy efficiency can create millions of well-paying jobs, many of which are not subject to foreign outsourcing. These jobs are in two categories that every state is eager to attract -- college-educated professional workers (many with advanced degrees), and highly skilled technical workers.

·    Renewable energy and energy efficiency industries are already significant economic drivers in Colorado and are well-positioned for future growth. Colorado's efforts provide an important model for other states working to generate new jobs in the New Energy Economy. In 2007 RE/EE generated $10.3 billion in sales and provided over 91,000 jobs in Colorado, accounting for more than 4% of the gross state product. This could grow to as much as $61.5 billion and 613,000 jobs by 2030 with continued leadership, research, development, and policy efforts.

I invite you to read the report. And I hope you will help us get the economy back on track by contacting your elected officials to let them know about this report too. Thanks for your help.

The report is at: www.ases.org/greenjob

From Bill MacDermott on Green Jobs