NEWS

Report: Boom in VT clean energy jobs

Paris Achen
Free Press Staff Writer

WILLISTON – Growth in Vermont’s clean energy jobs is projected to double in the next six to 12 months after a year of outperforming other job sectors, according to a new state report.

The growth has generated economic benefits in the form of more jobs and in plummeting utility costs, Gov. Peter Shumlin said during an appearance Monday at Building Energy, a residential weatherization and construction company in Williston.

“It’s really important to remember that the choices we are making about energy — moving from dirty oil to clean renewables, getting energy efficiency right, and creating jobs for Vermonters — is working for our economy,” Shumlin said.

The second annual Vermont Clean Energy Industry Report shows clean energy jobs grew by more than 6 percent to 16,231 jobs in the past year. Half of those jobs are in energy efficiency. The margin of error is up to 4.71 percent.

Vermont is No. 1 in the nation per capita for clean energy jobs, said Chris Recchia, commissioner of the state Public Service Department.

The clean energy sector is projected to add another 1,000 jobs — a growth of another 6 percent — in the next six to 12 months, Recchia said.

The growth projection is based on email and phone surveys in March by BW Research Inc. of 974 employers, according to the report.

More 2,500 businesses, mostly operations of 10 employees or less, make up the sector. About 27.4 percent of the businesses derived all of their revenue from clean energy services, while the others combined those activities with manufacturing, building trades and other professional services, according to the report.

Energy efficiency programs and state and federal incentives for solar have helped to drive the growth, said Scott Gardner, president of Building Energy.

Scott Gardner of Building Energy speaks during a news conference Monday by Gov. Peter Shumlin to discuss the newly released Vermont Clean Energy Industry Report at Building Energy in Williston.

Efficiency Vermont programs and the Weatherization Trust Fund have provided about $6 million annually in energy efficiency assistance to low-income residents.

Building Energy has doubled in size to 40 employees since 2008, Gardner said.

The state recently ended solar incentives, Recchia said.

“It’s because we are successful,” the commissioner said. “Businesses have grown.” The state has seen tenfold increases in solar power, he added.

Employers reported that barriers to growth stem from consumer concerns about the cost of energy efficiency projects and insufficient incentive programs such as rebates, tax credits, grant funding and financing.

One benefit of the clean energy boom has been a reduction in utility costs, Shumlin said. Vermont’s largest utility, Green Mountain Power, announced last month a second annual rate decrease for customers.

“In the big picture, renewables are expensive up front,” Recchia said. “Once you get them constructed and capitalized, then you can go 20, 30, 40 years with relatively little cost or no cost, and they ultimately will result in a reduction of rates over time just simply by the fact you are not paying for fuel and uncertainty associated with that.”

Recchia said the report will help state policymakers understand economic and workforce impacts of new energy policies and inform decisions about clean energy investments and program designs.

A renewable energy standard the Legislature passed in May is projected to fuel growth of additional jobs, Recchia said. The renewable energy law also is projected to save millions in energy costs, he said.

The state’s energy plan sets a goal of reaching 90 percent renewable energy by 2050.

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This story was first posted online on Sept. 14, 2015. Contact Paris Achen at 802-660-1874 and pachen@freepressmedia.com. Follow her at www.twitter.com/parisachen and https://www.facebook.com/ColTrends.