Clean energy businesses in Michigan added more than 5,400 workers in 2022, boosting the state to lead the Midwest region in its number of clean energy workers, officials said Tuesday.
There are 123,983 Michigan residents working in clean energy and clean transportation jobs, up 4.6% in 2022, according to a Clean Jobs Report released Tuesday by national nonpartisan business group Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) and Evergreen Climate Innovations.
“The Midwest saw impressive clean energy job growth in 2022, but it is essentially the calm before the storm in terms of expected job growth for the sector and region,” Micaela Preskill, Midwest advocate for E2, said in a statement. “Private companies have gone full speed ahead with new investments in clean energy and transportation projects since historic clean energy investments and incentives were passed last summer. Growth of 4.6 percent in Michigan is fantastic, but I’m on the edge of my seat to see what these numbers look like next year.”
The report comes one year after the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which is considered the largest investment in climate and clean energy in history. The state’s clean energy economy is expected to grow with investments resulting from the legislation and as the state considers adopting clean energy policies.
Among the clean energy jobs, those in the energy efficiency sector continued to lead in 2022 with more than 75,000 workers, according to the report. These workers in this sector manufacture Energy Star-rated appliances and install efficient lighting, ventilation and air conditioning systems. They also install advanced building materials in homes and commercial buildings.
Clean transportation jobs were the fastest growing sector in 2022 in Michigan, with 14.4% growth. There were 4,067 jobs added for a total of 32,271 workers. Jobs related to electric vehicle production are the bulk of the sector’s growth, according to the report.
The largest hubs with clean energy jobs are Detroit with 66,586 jobs, Grand Rapids with 14,590 jobs and Lansing with 4,306 jobs. Rural areas of the state account for nearly 16,000 jobs.
“Clean energy businesses are creating jobs in Michigan faster than the rest of the economy, providing well-paying jobs to enable Michiganders to develop meaningful careers and support their families,” said Laura Sherman, president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. “Clean energy investments also reduce costs for Michigan families while improving power reliability. We look forward to continuing to partner with the state and federal government to remove policy barriers and take full advantage of new investments and opportunities.”
cwilliams@detroitnews.com
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