Climate advocates report that Michigan is leading the country in a clean energy jobs boom, creating more than 15,800 jobs in the past year.
According to a report from Climate Power, a communications firm focused on building support for climate action, Michigan has the greatest number of clean energy projects in the country, securing more than $21 billion in investments.
The report, updated on Tuesday, highlighted the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on clean energy projects across the nation, with 176,606 new jobs across 44 states created between Aug. 16, 2022, when the law was signed, and July 20, 2023.
Lisa Wozniak | courtesy photo
“The Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law last year, is giving us the resources that we need to accelerate our transition to this clean energy economy. And it’s a win for our environment and our economy,” Lisa Wozniak, executive director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, said during a Thursday webinar discussing the report’s findings.
The Inflation Reduction Act included $369 billion in federal investments intended to advance clean energy efforts across the country, with roughly $270 billion of that funding being directed toward tax incentives.
As a result of these investments, Michigan is projected to create 167,000 clean energy jobs over the next decade.
According to the report, most of the new projects across the nation are located in congressional districts led by Republican members of Congress. Since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed, there have been 96,216 new jobs and over $224.8 billion in investments have been announced in 92 Republican-controlled districts across the country.
In a breakdown of clean energy jobs by congressional districts, five Michigan districts ranked among the 20 districts with the highest numbers of new clean energy jobs. Michigan’s 7th Congressional District in Mid-Michigan, represented by the U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing) placed eighth on the list, with 3,880 new jobs.
Michigan’s 5th Congressional District in southern Michigan, represented by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton) ranked 12th with 2,600 new jobs. Walberg’s district was also among the districts with the largest investment into green energy, ranked 18th, bringing in $3.52 billion in investments.
Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District in West and Mid-Michigan, represented by Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Midland), placed 16th in clean energy jobs, with 2,350 new jobs.
Climate Power map
Michigan’s 11th Congressional District in Southeast Michigan, represented by Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Waterford Twp.), brought in 2,227 new jobs, placing 17th. And Michigan’s 6th Congressional District in Southeast Michigan, represented by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor), placed 19th with 2,112 new jobs.
Overall, Kansas’s 3rd Congressional District, held by Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), gained the most new jobs, gaining 20,500 positions. New York’s 22nd Congressional District, held by Rep. Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.), brought in the greatest amount of investments, totaling $100 billion.
While the Inflation Reduction Act provides tools and resources to accelerate Michigan’s transition to a clean energy economy, state-level policy is needed to fully realize these benefits, Wozniak said.
Wozniak highlighted policies introduced in the Legislature that would support the clean energy industry in Michigan including efforts to move Michigan to a 100% clean energy standard, expand energy efficiency upgrades and increase the purview of the Michigan Public Service Commission.
“Clean energy progress so far is delivering real results for Michiganders and that’s huge,” Wozniak said. “By passing bold 100% clean energy legislation in the state Legislature, we can continue to build on this progress, making Michigan a true leader in clean energy and clean air and clean water.”
Climate Power chart
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authored by Kyle Davidson
First published at https%3A%2F%2Fmichiganadvance.com%2F2023%2F07%2F27%2Fmichigan-leads-the-country-in-clean-energy-jobs-new-report-says%2F
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