The latest analysis of clean energy job losses in the US shows that the news is even worse than expected. As of the end of April, the toll stood at almost 600,000 US clean energy workers out of work, and the number seemed certain to climb.
Clean Energy Job Losses: 600,000, and Counting, from COVID Impacts
John Rogers, Senior energy analyst
May 18, 2020 11:52 AM EDT
Why Congress Must Invest in Environmental Justice and Equity in the Next Recovery Package
Adrienne Hollis, Senior Climate Justice and Health Scientist
May 5, 2020 4:15 PM EDT
People of color. The elderly. Women and LGBTQ people. Low income families. These are some of the most vulnerable among us. As such, they must be the focus of Congressional attention.
A recent report by nonprofit Kresge Health has drawn a straight line from these most vulnerable people to the likelihood of living near hazardous waste facilities. They are more likely to lack economic stability, education, housing and transportation options and even safe drinking water. Congress has it in its hands to change this as it crafts its next recovery package. Read more >
AWEA
500,000 US Clean Energy Jobs at Risk from COVID Effects
John Rogers, Senior energy analyst
April 23, 2020 8:00 AM EDT
Workers in the clean energy sector, like the rest of the economy, are taking a serious hit from COVID-19. Two new analyses offer important new data for understanding the scale and breadth of COVID’s impacts on clean energy jobs. One tallies up the initial hit to clean energy workers, and looks at what more pain might be coming. The other looks at where clean energy’s powerful job creation ability had gotten the sector before COVID hit. Here’s what the numbers say about what’s at risk, and why it matters. Read more >
Fed, States Should Protect Clean Energy Jobs for Black and Latino Workers
Adenike Adeyeye, Western States Energy Manager and Senior Analyst
April 22, 2020 3:58 PM EDT
At least 316 million people in the United States (or 96% of the country) have been directed to stay home to halt the spread of COVID-19. Those who are not essential workers are likely using up more electricity at home than they normally would, so you might imagine that the energy sector could be one of the few industries to come out of this pandemic relatively unscathed.
That may be true for regulated electric utilities and the large scale projects that contract with them. But it hasn’t held true for the energy sector’s largest employer, the energy efficiency sector, which has seen major layoffs since the start of the pandemic. And the pandemic’s impacts could be even more severe for smaller programs diversifying the energy efficiency workforce through job training programs for youth, low-income communities, and people of color.
Robert Wiedemann/Unsplash
Three Stimulus Package Priorities to Rebuild a More Equitable and Sustainable Economy
Mark Specht, Energy analyst
April 20, 2020 11:33 AM EDT
With the COVID-19 pandemic pushing our medical system to the brink and ravaging the nation’s economy, we must respond decisively and forcefully. Without a doubt, our nation’s top priority should be shoring up our public health efforts to keep people healthy and providing financial relief to the millions of people across the country who have suddenly lost their jobs.
At the same time, our leaders must start thinking ahead, creating strategies to revitalize the economy when this public health threat begins to subside. As members of Congress contemplate various economic stimulus options, our leaders should advance measures that emphasize job creation, benefit those most impacted by the pandemic, and rebuild the economy in a way that promotes the long-term interests of society.
