Wisconsin has nearly 25,000 people working in clean energy jobs, ranking it behind most other Midwestern states, according to a new report released by Renew Wisconsin, Clean Energy Trust and Environmental Entrepreneurs.
The report, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and a survey of businesses in the region, estimated Wisconsin has 24,714 workers in clean energy. The finding puts the state ninth of 12 states that include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota. Illinois tops the list at 113,918 workers
While none of the states have more than 3.5 percent of their private sector workforce in clean energy, a BizTimes review of the data and employment figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found Wisconsin in 12th, dead last, among Midwest states at 1.01 percent. North Dakota has the largest percentage at 3.23 percent.
The report projects Wisconsin will have a 4.8 percent growth rate in clean energy jobs in 2016, putting it sixth among the 12 states. Missouri has the highest projected growth rate at 8.3 percent.
“Wisconsin’s clean energy workers make up an important and growing sector of our economy,” said Tyler Huebner, executive director of RENEW Wisconsin. “Our last major state energy policy advancement was made ten years ago now, and although we met the goals including 10 percent renewable electricity by 2015, that policy is no longer driving investment. A new policy framework for advancing 21st-century energy solutions would create even more clean energy employment and help us catch up with our neighboring states.
Nearly 70 percent of Wisconsin’s clean energy jobs are in installation and maintenance, according to the report. Just over 11 percent are in trade and distribution, 8.5 percent are in professional areas, 7 percent in manufacturing and 2.9 percent are in engineering and research.
Geographically, almost 35 percent are in southeastern Wisconsin with Milwaukee County topping the list at 3,101 jobs. Dance County is second at 2,411 and Waukesha County third at 2,199.
Over 70 percent of Wisconsin’s clean energy jobs are in energy efficiency, including high-efficiency lighting, Energy State appliance manufacturing and high-efficiency HVAC services. About 25 percent of the jobs are in renewable energy areas like solar, biomass and wind.
