PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island is getting greener, according to the 2017 Rhode Island Clean Energy Jobs Report released Thursday by the R.I. Office of Energy Resources and the Executive Office of Commerce.
According to the report, R.I. now has over 15,300 jobs in the clean energy sector and that number is growing. It also states that clean energy employment in the state has grown by 66 percent since 2014, and has increased by 11 percent in the past year alone.
Everyone needs science. Science needs everyone.
The Amgen Foundation is guided by the belief that all students should have the opportunity…
Learn More
The report, however, counts jobs based on employees at qualifying clean energy firms that spend any portion of time supporting clean energy-related products and services—this could include industries like consulting, finance, tax and legal services. The wide lens results in the report capture a number much greater than what the R.I. Department of Labor and Training counts for the state’s direct energy jobs. In 2016 for instance, the DLT counted 2,745 direct-energy jobs, marking a two job increase compared with 2015.
“In March, I set a state goal to reach 1,000 MW of clean energy and add 20,000 clean energy jobs by 2020,” Gov. Gina M. Raimondo said in a prepared statement. “This latest Clean Energy Jobs Report demonstrates progress toward achieving that ambitious goal. Continued investment in clean energy alternatives not only provides significant energy and environmental benefits, but substantial economic growth opportunities for Rhode Island workers and businesses as well. It is a triple win for our environment, our economy and our future.”
Liz Lee is a reporter for PBN.
