Thursday, August 12th, 2021
Dear Kyle,
Yesterday, Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) released the annual Clean Jobs Midwest – Minnesota report, which is an analysis of energy jobs data from Clean Energy Trust (CET), the national, nonpartisan business group E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs), and BW Research. Here are the key take-aways:
More than 55,300 Minnesotans worked in energy efficiency and clean energy at the end of 2020, making the industry a major – and promising -- part of the state’s economy (this number includes 7,616 working in renewable energy and 4,442 working in solar);
More than 1 in 3 clean energy jobs are in Greater Minnesota;
Last year was the first year-over-year decline since E2, Clean Energy Trust, and CEEM began tracking Minnesota clean energy jobs;
The clean energy sector surged back 10 percent in the second half of the year to recover nearly half of the jobs initially lost;
Despite the setbacks, clean energy jobs rebounded about twice as fast as the overall Minnesota workforce
In 2020, 71% of clean energy jobs were with small businesses that employ fewer than 20 people.
From the CEEM report: "Despite the industry’s overall decline, more than twice as many Minnesotans worked in clean energy as compared to the number of lawyers, accountants and auditors, web developers, and real estate agents combined."
As Minnesota recovers from the pandemic and leaders enact policies to support the regrowth of Minnesota's economy, clean energy shows the promise of continued growth and quick recovery. Clean energy jobs tend to be GOOD jobs that at least pay a living wage. Good jobs in clean energy can help workers in Greater MN stabilize and build wealth, and help small towns recover, rebuild, and take part in the work of meeting clean energy goals for Minnesota and the USA.
Watch our social media for a letter to the editor written by RREAL's Executive Director, John Vaughn, who will participate in an upcoming panel discussion on clean energy jobs, and watch RREAL's social media for more highlights from the Clean Energy Jobs Report.
All of us at RREAL are thrilled to see data relating to growth and recovery in the clean energy sector. Clean energy is the future, and we're working hard to make sure communities and workers in Central and Northern Minnesota are ready to take part in the clean energy revolution.
In case you missed it, a few days ago we shared big news to wrap up RREAL's work in Liberia. Stay tuned for more exciting program and partnership updates in the weeks to come. RREAL staff have been hard at work planning for the work ahead, and we cannot wait to tell you all about it.
Thanks for all you do to help us bring clean solar power to more households and communities during this time of growth and recovery.
Together, we have the power to make a difference.
In hope & gratitude,
Jennifer Jacquot-DeVries
Communications and Fund Development
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