Calif. Leads Nation in ‘clean’ Economy Sector Jobs

Posted on the 05 March 2014 by Biznewsday

DENVER – More than a quarter million Californians hold down what are termed “clean jobs” – more than any state, according to data supplied Wednesday by Ecotech Institute of Denver, Colo., a two-year career college that is part of the for-profit privately held Education Corporation of America.

With 276,493 jobs in the “clean” sector, California outstrips runner-up Texas (268,349), the only other state to have more than a quarter million clean jobs, the report says.

OTHER STATES IN THE TOP TEN:

3. New York – 190,964
4. Illinois – 168,998
5. Michigan – 143,319
6. Ohio – 129,447
7. Pennsylvania – 126,012
8. Massachusetts – 115,748
9. Florida – 115,066
10. Washington – 98,252

“Renewable energy is the future and this data proves that more than ever,” says Kyle Crider, Ecotech Institute’s program chairman and manager of environmental operations. “With solar jobs up 54 percent and clean tech jobs up overall nearly 20 percent, it’s definitely an exciting time in the sustainable energy industry.”

Ecotech says job growth is strong in the sector, with more than 3.5 million job postings in the clean energy sector last year, a 19 percent increase from 2012.

Clean energy jobs are based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics description, which says that a clean job is part of a business that benefits the environment or conserves natural resources.

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ABOUT THE REPORT

Ecotech Institute’s “Clean Jobs Index” is an aggregation of statistics by state. Although it may indicate a greater possibility for employment in the clean economy sector, it in no way indicates the presence or the promise of any specific job opportunities. Data for the Index is gathered regularly from independent research entities including American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Full story by Central Valley Business Times at centralvalleybusinesstimes.com.