Emily Norton: 617.423.5775, Emily.Norton@sierraclub.org
Boston, MA - The Boston metropolitan area created more than 2.300 new jobs in the state’s growing solar industry last year, according to a report released today by The Solar Foundation. The Boston area is now home to 12,487 solar jobs, an increase of 24% from 2015 figures. The findings highlight the enormous jobs potential for a transition to 100 percent clean and renewable energy in Boston, as well as the opportunity for Mayor Walsh to be a leader on creating more family-sustaining, union jobs in a growing industry across the region.
25 U.S. cities have now committed to transition entirely to clean and renewable energy between 2030 and 2035. Cities including major metropolises like San Diego and Salt Lake City, and smaller towns like Georgetown, Texas and Abita Springs, Louisiana, are among the places that have made the commitment.
“While the Trump Administration turns its back on fighting pollution from fossil fuels, we can step up by protecting our communities health and boosting our economy here in Boston. Transitioning to clean energy like solar will spur innovation, launch new businesses, create good-paying jobs, and drive economic growth that benefits all Americans. With more and more jobs being created in the growing solar industry today, now is the time for Mayor Walsh to go all-in on clean energy in our city,” said Keith Burrows, Chair of Sierra Club’s Greater Boston Group.
Solar jobs listed in the report include both installation and construction jobs and non-installation jobs, including manufacturing, sales and distribution, project development, and other occupations that support the solar industry.
“State-by-state and city-by-city, our nation is moving away from polluting fossil fuels toward an economy where solar is powering our homes and putting people to work. As we transition towards more clean energy, we must ensure that the benefits of a new 100 percent clean energy economy are equitably shared and that the jobs and opportunities created by clean energy provide living wages, healthcare benefits, and union representation for workers.” said Emily Norton, Massachusetts Chapter Director of Sierra Club.
In February, The Solar Foundation released its 2016 National Solar Jobs Census, which found that the U.S. solar industry employed 260,077 workers. This figure includes the addition of over 51,000 solar workers over the previous year, representing a 25 percent growth in employment from 2015. Over the next 12 months, employers surveyed expect to see total solar industry employment increase by 10 percent to 286,335 solar workers.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 2.4 million members and supporters nationwide. In addition to creating opportunities for people of all ages, levels and locations to have meaningful outdoor experiences, the Sierra Club works to safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation. For more information, visit http://www.sierraclub.org.