The power of a clean energy economy

‍The Potential for a Clean Energy Economy

The clean energy economy is growing rapidly due to technological improvements and increasing demand for clean energy. This has led to a growth in green jobs across the country. Clean energy jobs grew at a rate of 70% faster than total job growth from 2015-2019. In 2019, there were more clean energy jobs than fossil fuel jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that solar installers and wind technicians will be two of the fastest growing professions in the next decade.

Clean energy jobs are available in many different places. You can get one of these jobs anywhere that we use energy. There are many different types of clean energy jobs, including energy production, energy efficiency, electric vehicles and energy storage. These jobs offer good wages to people with all levels of education. In the United States, these jobs employ over 3 million people.

What does a clean energy economy look like?

A successful clean energy economy has many benefits for both the environment and the economy. It also helps vulnerable communities through a just transition. To make this a reality, we need to create pathways for those working in the fossil fuel industry to transition to long-term, well-paying careers in the clean energy industry.

MCE is a public agency that has been helping to make California and other states more environmentally friendly by providing renewable energy at stable rates. We have been doing this since 2010 and currently serve 37 member communities and over 1.5 million people in four Bay Area counties.

MCE has been a leader in clean energy workforce development opportunities. They have partnered with businesses and organizations to help create renewable energy projects, install energy efficient retrofits, electric vehicle charging stations and low-income residential solar. One partnership with Rising Sun Center for Opportunity supports training programs for youth, women and individuals interested in reentering the workforce. These programs offer training and support to build the necessary skills to start a career in green technology.

A case study from Rising Sun

In 2021, Bry'Ana Wallace graduated from Rising Sun.

"After losing my grandmother years ago, I became homeless. For a long time, I didn’t know where to turn or how to change my situation. My cousin told me about Rising Sun and how the programs had changed people’s lives. They connected me with Moms4Housing, an organization that helps reclaim housing for homeless mothers. Now I have my own house and my son and I are no longer homeless."

After training with Rising Sun, she worked two weeks on a solar installation job with GRID Alternatives. Then she moved into a full-time job installing terrazzo floors.

"The Rising Sun program helped me learn many skills. These skills include construction, math, and professionalism. In addition to these skills, I also received mental health coaching, help with substance abuse, and general mentorship. The resources at Rising Sun helped me when I was feeling lost. Everyone at the program was supportive and continues to support me now that I have graduated. Right now, I am working on launching a new career in elevator construction."

Supporting the clean energy economy

MCE supports the clean energy economy by requiring local hire, prevailing wage, and union labor on local projects. Our workforce development programs and partnerships support local contractors and help job seekers find paid on-the-job experience. Many of MCE’s training programs work with underserved populations, including low-income residents, those who have a history with the justice system, and those who were previously incarcerated.

You can also help the transition to a clean energy economy by choosing 100% renewable energy. This will help support the development of local clean energy projects.

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