Technological improvements and demand for clean energy have caused a boom in the clean energy economy and green jobs across the country. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that solar installers and wind technicians will be two of the fastest growing occupations in the next decade. Your energy choices can boost the clean energy economy, help drive growth of well-paying green jobs, and ensure a more sustainable, regenerative economy.
What are the benefits of the clean energy economy?
The clean energy economy employs over 3 million people in the United States. Clean energy jobs span many industries, including energy production, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and energy storage.
- Clean energy jobs support small businesses. Two-thirds of clean energy jobs are at small businesses with less than 20 employees.
- Clean energy jobs offer workers higher wages than the national average and are widely available for workers without a college degree.
- Unlike fossil fuel jobs, clean energy jobs can be created anywhere and everywhere.
- The clean energy economy can help support vulnerable communities by increasing energy efficiency and lowering energy bills.
- Investing in clean energy helps combat climate change and protect the environment.
What does the transition to a clean energy economy look like?
A successful clean energy economy has both economic and environmental benefits and supports vulnerable communities through a just transition. It’s essential to create pathways to help those working in the fossil fuel industry transition to long-term, well-paying careers in the clean energy industry. Read about MCE’s commitment to a just transition.
“The clean energy economy has the power to create new, sustainable job growth in our communities. As we see the worsening effects of climate change in events like California’s wildfires, it’s vital that we put the power back into the hands of the people. Together we can build healthier communities, combat climate change, and foster a strong green-collar workforce with family-sustaining jobs. With MCE, the power to do this is in our hands.” – Devin Murphy, Pinole City Councilmember and MCE Board Director
How does MCE support the transition to a clean energy economy?
Community Partnerships
MCE’s workforce development opportunities focus on public-private partnerships to construct local renewable energy projects and install energy efficiency retrofits, electric vehicle charging stations, and low-income residential solar. We have partnered with RichmondBUILD, Marin City Community Development Corporation, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, Future Build, and North Bay Workforce Alliance to provide training for careers in the clean energy economy.
Local Hire and Prevailing Wage Requirements
Renewable energy projects built in MCE’s service area require that 100% of employees hired during construction are paid at least prevailing wage and that at least 50% of the construction work hours (including contractors and subcontractors) are obtained from permanent residents who live within the same county.
Workforce Education and Training
MCE’s Workforce Education and Training (WE&T) Program aims to grow the green economy, support local contractors, and provide access to workforce development opportunities. The program matches job seekers to contractors within MCE’s service area and funds opportunities for paid on-the-job experience. The program also provides benefits to local energy efficiency contractors through green-collar workforce development and no-charge matching with prequalified, trained job seekers. 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. MCE also offers an Electrification Workshop Series focused on clean energy, energy efficiency, electrification, and climate change solutions.
Sustainable Workforce and Diversity Policy
MCE’s Sustainable Workforce and Diversity Policy defines our commitment to diversity and inclusion by contracting for power resources, procuring goods and services, and implementing hiring initiatives. The policy calls for quality training, apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs; fair wages; and direct hiring practices that promote diversity in the workplace.
MCE Solar One
MCE’s largest local renewable project, MCE Solar One, maximized local economic benefits by working with workforce development agency RichmondBUILD to train and hire its skilled, local graduates for the project. RichmondBUILD has successfully graduated hundreds of students and placed an impressive 80% of its graduates into well-paying jobs.
“Having been part of Solar One Project, I’ve seen first-hand the benefits of building the local green economy. Everybody benefits! Local job seekers were trained on the project, employers had a talented candidate pool to pull from, local businesses prospered, and residents were able to use clean energy to power their homes. And our planet was made a better place to live.” – Fred Lucero, Program Manager at Richmond Build.
How can you support the transition to a clean energy economy?
Opt up to Deep Green 100% renewable energy to support the clean energy economy in your community. Half of the Deep Green premium goes toward MCE’s Local Renewable Energy and Program Fund, which contributes to the build-out of local renewable energy projects and programs for MCE customers.
