Clean Energy Jobs | Opportunities for Industry and Business | Costs of Inaction
Less Carbon, More Jobs: This map locates some of the hundreds of clean energy businesses in Virginia.Clean energy already provides thousands of Virginia workers with good jobs during hard times. This fact sheet collects several sources of information showing how accelerating the clean-energy transition will benefit Virginia's economy — and, conversely, the costs and consequences of failing to act.
This map1 tells the story of existing companies across Virginia that will get new customers and create jobs with a cap on carbon.2
Profiles of Clean Energy Businesses
Many area businesses are already flourishing from the rising interest in clean energy. Read their stories to learn more about clean energy jobs.3
The Clean Energy Economy [PDF]
The clean energy industry in Virginia is booming (job growth of 6%). By 2007, 1,446 businesses had generated more than 16,900 Virginia jobs [PDF] in the clean energy economy, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. Venture capitalists are investing nearly $71 million in Virginia's clean energy businesses.4
| Clean Businesses (2007) | Clean Jobs (2007) | Clean Job Growth (1998-2007) |
Venture Capital (2006-2008) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 1,446 | 16,907 | 6.0% | $70,828,000 |
The Future of the Clean Energy Economy [PDF]
University of Massachusetts researchers conclude that the American Clean Energy and Security Act, coupled with the clean energy provisions passed in the ARRA stimulus package that Congress passed in February 2009, will drive $150 billion of investment in clean energy nationwide. This investment will create more than 44,600 jobs for Virginia's workers.5
Both the Department of Energy and McKinsey and Company have identified significant, untapped opportunities for key industries in Virginia to prosper under a clean energy economy.
According to a June 2009 report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, inaction on global warming will cause significant harm to the Southeast. Sea level will rise by 2 feet or more, hurricane intensity will climb, cattle production will decline, and pavement and railways will buckle from temperature increases.11
A nationwide cap on greenhouse gas emissions would jumpstart a new energy economy in Virginia and accelerate the growth of good-paying, clean jobs. If we fail to act soon, the new markets for clean energy will grow overseas instead.
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