• Politics

Clean Energy Sector Makes Strong Case for Coronavirus Aid

• clean energy
• COVID-19
• solar energy
• stimulus
• tax credits
• wind energy

As we have reported, the clean energy sector is down more than 620,000 jobs thanks to the coronavirus pandemic and the industry is now pushing hard for relief from Congress in the form of tax credits that companies would receive as cash payments (a deal Congress gave some companies) and delaying the phase-down of other tax incentives. 

Why This Matters:  While there may be some overcounting in jobs lost or undercounting of the number covered under the generic PPP stimulus program, there is no doubt the sector has been “decimated” as the clean energy industry claims.

• Energy

Renewable Energy Sector Has Lost 600,000 Jobs Due To COVID-19

• clean energy
• COVID-19
• jobs
• renewable energy
• solar energy
• unemployment
• wind energy

Using the latest Labor Department data, E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs), the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), and other analysts reported on Wednesday that 594,347 workers in clean energy occupations, representing 17.8% of the industry’s workforce, filed for unemployment benefits in April and March. 

Why This Matters:  The oil and gas industry really is the squeaky wheel getting the grease.  The number of jobs lost in that sector is likely only a fraction of those lost in the renewable energy sector.

• People

Interview of the Week: Dr. Leah Stokes

• clean energy
• energy
• Leah Stokes
• UCSB

Dr. Leah Stokes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara (go Gauchos!). Her new book Short Circuiting Policy examines clean energy policies to understand why US states are not on track to meet the climate crisis. Since her in-person book tour had to be delayed […]

• Energy

Energy Down: Clean Energy Job Losses Total 106,000 and Texas Weighs Oil Production Cuts

• clean energy
• conservation
• COVID-19
• environment
• flaring
• methane
• oil and gas

More signs emerged of deep trouble for the energy sector.  Clean energy companies shed 106,000 jobs in March according to an industry analysis of figures from the Labor Department’s tally of unemployment claims.  And on Tuesday, the Texas agency that regulates the oil and gas industry held a public hearing to consider whether the industry should cut production to keep oil prices from falling further, a drastic step aimed at preventing a slew of bankruptcies and permanent job losses.

• Energy

In New York State, Investment in Renewables is Deemed a COVID-10 Recovery Plan

• Andrew Cuomo
• clean energy
• New York
• renewable energy

by Zoey Shipley New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo has gained national media attention for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. In many ways, he’s become a leader for many people across the nation during this time. And despite the pandemic, Solar Industry Magazine reported that “New York public authorities and agencies have passed legislation as […]

• Energy

Solar Power Shined Bright in 2019

• clean energy
• energy
• residential solar
• rooftop solar
• solar power

Even with the Trump administration’s policy challenges and continued tariffs on solar tile imports, 40%of all new electric generating capacity in the U.S. was solar, its highest share ever and more than any other source of electricity, according to a new report by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie.

Why This Matters:  Solar power is on its way now.  The total amount of solar power operating in the U.S. now exceeds 76 GW, up from just 1 GW at the end of 2009