Wind energy surpasses coal in growth, number of jobs

Some interesting news last week was featured on the CNN/Fortune magazine Green Wombat blog. Wind energy jobs increased 70% in 2008, passing the coal industry in terms of job creation.

During tough economic times, how to maintain and create good paying jobs is a primary concern to everyone.  The wind and solar industry has garnered a lot of attention nationally and here in Oregon for their potential to create new jobs while producing clean energy.  The job creation in these industries is significant.

According to some recent reports, the wind and solar industry now outpace the coal industry in the number of absolute jobs they represent in the United States as well as the number of new jobs they are creating.

Here's a link to the report about coal jobs.

Here's a link to the report about wind jobs.

This is a fairly significant fact given that renewable energy makes up only about 3% of our electricity nationally and coal represents about 50% of nation’s electricity grid. 

President Obama has called for a national Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) so that our nation makes a serious investment in clean energy. Congress should not delay in passing this legislation and should make sure that our first investment in our energy future is in energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy.  Apparently future jobs depend upon it.

Other Links:

Wind jobs outstrip the coal industry (CNN/Fortune)

The Wind and Solar Power Industries Now Employ Twice the Number of Workers in the U.S. as the Coal Industry (Stoel Rives 'Renewable + Law' blog)