The Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) expects Colorado’s clean energy industry of over 65,000 workers to expand by as much as nine percent this year, up from the four percent growth of last year. Over half of this workforce constitutes energy efficiency jobs alone.
The Colorado estimate ranks higher than the national average of six percent for 2019, according to a report by AEE, a business organization.
This growth follows legislation designed to push the state towards ambitious goals of emissions reduction and usage of renewable energy. Legislation on electric vehicle policies, solar garden usage, and building codes are encouraging individuals, businesses, and utility companies to go green.
Out of the thirteen new laws related to the advancement of clean energy, the most prominent is the Climate Action Plan To Reduce Pollution.
The plan outlines Colorado’s goals towards clean energy: reduce Colorado’s 2005 carbon emissions by 26 percent by 2025, 50 percent by 2030, and 90 percent by 2050.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, has released his own plan, which is even more ambitious: a commitment to 100 percent renewable energy in Colorado by 2040.
According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Denver ranks eighth out of 75 large U.S. cities in clean energy. Colorado city Glenwood Springs also recently made headlines when it announced that it would be the seventh city in the U.S. to operate with 100 percent renewable energy.
Emilie Olson of Advanced Energy Economy stated that Colorado is “reaping dividends from its energy policies and investments.”
Colorado Democrats have also been working towards easing the transition and maintaining economic security for coal workers and communities centered around coal.
Rep. Dominique Jackson (D-Arapahoe County), Chair of the House Energy and Environment Committee, said Colorado’s “future is bright” when it comes to renewable energy.
“Pollution impacts every Coloradan, which is why we are committed to taking meaningful action to protect the air we breathe, our environment and our public health,” said Jackson in a news release. “The legislation we passed will help create new jobs in renewable energy generation, and it’s clear the future is bright for this critical industry.”
Correction: This post was corrected to state that the Advanced Energy Economy, not the Advanced Energy Alliance released the industry report, and to add a link to the report.
