An Ohio Clean Energy Economy Emerges Delivering Steady Job Growth

The clean energy sector is one of Ohio’s leading employers. In fact, “More than twice as many Ohioans work in clean energy than the number of lawyers, accountants, auditors, web developers, and real estate agents combined.” Clean energy jobs in Ohio span a wide range of industries including energy efficiency, renewables, advanced transportation, grid and storage, and clean fuels. As a whole, the clean energy sector, according to this year’s Clean Jobs Midwest analysis published by the Clean Energy Trust and E2, represents more than 103,000 jobs in the Buckeye State. Energy efficiency makes up 71 percent of the state’s clean energy related jobs while advanced transportation, building on previous years' increases, saw a 3 percent jobs increase. This makes advanced transportation the state’s fastest growing clean energy sector as companies like GM and Ford make significant commitments to electric vehicles (EVs). No surprise, the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on clean energy jobs across the nation in 2020, with Ohio specifically, losing 10,951 clean energy jobs, representing the first decline in years. State policy also had an impact on the decline, unfortunately. Ohio’s House Bill 6, which eliminated energy efficiency standards, can be attributed to Ohio’s biggest drop in the energy efficiency industry, totaling 9,874 jobs.  Despite the pandemic and adverse state policies, the industry saw a dramatic bounce back, growing 10.1 percent the second half of the year, rebounding quicker than the overall Ohio workforce.  Small towns in Ohio are big winners in the clean energy industry, with more than 15,700 jobs located in rural areas. Additionally, as chambers well know, small businesses typically make up the majority of its membership directories and clean energy follows that same model. Small businesses helped fuel the state’s clean energy sector last year, with 62 percent of Ohio’s clean energy businesses employing fewer than 20 people.  The transition to a clean energy economy in Ohio is expected to steadily grow providing good-paying opportunities for job seekers, including those in underserved communities. Additionally, chamber member businesses from start-ups to the largest employers will benefit from cost saving programs as well as the ability to purchase low-cost, state-generated renewable energy.  Read more about the entire Midwest’s clean energy jobs here.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Susan Munroe.

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Energy Storage Technology Gets Local Chamber Support

Massachusetts legislators are calling energy storage facilities like the one that broke ground in Sterling, Mass., last month a “game changer” in the effort to modernize the electric grid.

Energy storage, or the capture of energy produced through solar or wind power that will be used at a later time, is a key component of a 21st century energy systems. The Sterling facility will be the largest energy storage installation of its kind in New England.

“The Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce supports Sterling’s energy storage facility,” said Jen Stanovich, the Chamber’s Executive Director. “We salute the town of Sterling for being a leader in the Commonwealth and see great economic benefit for area residents and local businesses.”

The new facility:

• Increases overall utility efficiency, offers continual savings, and helps the utility integrate clean, more affordable power into Sterling’s electric grid.

• Will provide up to 12 days of emergency back-up power to the Sterling Police Department station and dispatch center in the event of a power outage.

• Is being developed by a local company, which helps create local jobs.

Read more about the Sterling facility in the Worcester Telegram.

Read more about how energy storage could save MA ratepayers $800 million.