June 15, 2020 — More than 27,000 clean energy sector jobs were lost in May, amounting to an overall 18% decline throughout the U.S. compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. The latest job-loss analysis from BW Research Partnership is based on unemployment claims. Energy efficiency again is hardest-hit nationwide, dropping by roughly 18,900 jobs in May.
The report comes as both the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Energy and Commerce Committee consider clean energy stimulus to restart the economy, and as lawmakers in the House and Senate increase their calls for supporting clean energy workers and businesses.
Clean energy jobs analyzed include grid modernization, energy storage, car charging, and electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle manufacturing as well as energy efficiency.
Specific energy efficiency jobs analyzed include electricians, HVAC technicians who work with high-efficiency systems, and manufacturing employees who make ENERGY STAR appliances, LED lighting systems, and efficient building materials. Data categories are those used in the 2020 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER)
States where the energy efficiency workforce was hit hardest in May, by percentage of jobs lost: Georgia, Kentucky and Oklahoma.
