Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A devastating new report out this afternoon from E2 and ACORE showing that the clean energy industry lost nearly a half million jobs in April and over 100,000 in March. Before the crisis, clean energy had been one of our fastest growing industries, employing almost 3.4 million people by the end of 2019, and now it’s struggling.
In response, Sierra Club’s Legislative Director, Melinda Pierce, released the following statement:
“Nearly half a million clean energy workers just had their jobs evaporate overnight, and the clean energy industry is in dire need of relief to stem the tide of job losses caused by the pandemic. We are still waiting for leadership in Congress to advance policies that would help the solar, wind, energy storage, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency industries survive this incredibly challenging period.
“The $3 trillion bill just released by the House contains many important priorities for the country, and though it includes a lengthy tax section, it unfortunately leaves out COVID-19 related assistance that could save clean energy jobs. We cannot afford to let the clean energy industry backslide.”
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.