Smart Energy Jobs: Where, When, How Many?

Back in January, GridWise Alliance released a report estimating that Smart Grid deployment could translate into up to 280,000 new jobs. The report, written by KEMA, suggested the federal government’s investment in the Smart Grid would serve as a catalyst.

It wasn’t long after the report was issued that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 committed billions of dollars to Smart Grid and renewable energy projects around the country. The sweeping legislation aimed to create jobs, stimulate the economy and – among other things – reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil. 

More recently, Congressional debate on climate change and greenhouse gas cap and trade policies has kept the spotlight on “green” jobs and their role in a new energy economy.

Of course, not everyone agrees on cap and trade. Not everyone agrees the Recovery Act is working. And not everyone agrees we’ll see green energy jobs materialize as fast or as furiously as some have suggested.

For example, in a recent commentary for CNN, Samuel Sherraden, policy analyst for a Washington-based think-tank, wrote: “After the release of a miserable June jobs report, President Obama stood with a group of green company CEOs and told reporters that ‘men and women like these will help lead us out of this recession and into a better future.’ But if the White House puts too many eggs in the green recovery basket, we may all be disappointed. The green sector is simply not large enough or competitive enough to be a major engine of job creation.”

One could argue Sherraden makes a good point:

·         Nordic Windpower USA was offered  $16 million in conditional loan guarantees by the DOE to expand its assembly plant in Pocatello, Idaho. Jobs? Nordic expects to create more than 75 new skilled jobs. 

·         General Electric announced plans for a $100 million battery manufacturing plant Schenectady, NY that it hopes will qualify for stimulus funding. Jobs?  When it opens in 2011 the plant is expected to employ 350 workers.

Others argue those jobs are just a speck on the radar and that as more stimulus funds roll out and energy initiatives ramp up, the impact will be felt.

Speaking before the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee in support of clean energy legislation earlier this month, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire talked about progress in her state:  "In 2007, when we adopted a set of climate change goals related to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and reduced fuel use, we also set a goal to triple the number of green jobs we had in the state – to reach 25,000 green jobs by 2020. Less than two years later, we can point to 47,000 green jobs right now. Our green jobs are growing much faster than predicted. These jobs range from computer software engineers for the smart grid to power line workers, from green building architects to weatherization technicians, and from bioenergy venture capitalists to oilseed farmers."

In neighboring Oregon, the Bend Bulletin newspaper reports: “A study released last month by the Oregon Employment Department found that Oregon had more than 51,000 “green jobs” in 2008. Even with the economic downturn, environmentally friendly jobs were projected to increase about 14 percent by 2010. And in Central Oregon, green employers predict that the area could need people working in a variety of jobs that require a range of skills — from energy auditors to organic farmers to solar electricians.”

Training Workers

Preparing a workforce to fill energy-related jobs is another aspect of the Recovery Act. In June, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced five grant competitions, totaling $500 million, to fund projects that prepare workers for green jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.

Various training efforts are also underway at the state level. For example in Kansas, the State Energy Office anticipates an increased demand for energy auditors as it prepares to launch a new revolving loan program to improve the energy efficiency of Kansas homes and small businesses. So it’s offering up thousands of dollars in energy auditor training scholarships and equipment packages to help meet the demand.

Looking for a job in solar or wind? Want to know what the hot green jobs will be? Wondering how you can transfer your skills to the Smart Grid industry? Our jobs toolkit includes news and trends, job boards, and additional resources.