Job market anxieties have persisted in recent quarters, but amid market concerns, the clean energy sector emerged with stellar growth. Our country’s transition to a greener economy has created a demand surge for workers in construction, professional services, manufacturing, and other fields. This trend signals how sustainable solutions are a pathway to economic revitalization. In an annual nationwide report that was recently released, researchers found that South Carolina already had more than 46,000 clean energy jobs as of 2023. That number is likely to grow significantly over the next decade.
Nationwide, clean energy job growth has reached new heights.
Enacted under the Biden-Harris administration, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has incentivized clean energy manufacturers via tax credits, grants, and loans. E2, a nonpartisan coalition of business representatives, detected effects from the IRA in 2023. Last year, 150,000 new clean energy jobs were created, representing a growth rate of 4.5 percent. This rate far outpaces that of overall U.S. employment, which rose by 2 percent in 2023.
Overall, one in sixteen new jobs were in clean energy. Employment increased by more than 1,200 jobs in biofuels, 7,000 in storage and grid modernization, 25,000 in renewable energy, 40,000 in clean vehicle manufacturing, and 75,000 in energy efficiency. In total, there were nearly 3.5 million clean-energy workers across the country, mostly working in energy efficiency (2.3 million workers), renewable energy (0.6 million workers), and clean vehicles (0.4 million workers).
South Carolina is reaping the benefits, but clean-energy job growth could be stronger with more supportive policies.
South Carolina experienced a 3.4 percent increase in clean energy jobs in 2023, ranking 39th among all states. We rank as the 2nd fastest-growing state for energy-efficient lighting and traditional HVAC jobs. However, we are lagging far behind top states in areas where we could excel. Texas and Florida are leaders in energy efficiency, renewable energy (especially solar), and biofuels employment. Among the top 100 counties in the U.S. for total clean energy employment, Greenville is the only South Carolina county to rank, and it holds the lowest position.
Let’s accelerate toward our clean energy ambitions
South Carolina has a positive outlook. Since the passage of the IRA, Climate Power reports that 29 new clean energy projects welcomed over 16,500 jobs to the state. Manufacturers have already committed resources, according to President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda: BMW invested $1 billion to produce battery electric vehicles in Spartanburg and $700 million for a high-voltage assembly facility in Woodruff; Redwood Materials invested $3.5 billion toward a battery materials facility near Charleston; and, E-VAC Magnetics invested $500 million in a facility which will produce electric vehicle magnets. The administration also directly invested in transportation infrastructure and solar energy projects. Sixteen school districts received $65 million to replace more than 100 diesel school buses with zero-emission buses, which also reduces children’s exposure to harmful pollutants. And, the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) received $124 million to expand equitable distribution of solar generated power.
Following the federal government’s lead, our state and local governments should implement new policies that advance an equitable clean-energy transition. As the General Assembly and state regulatory agencies chart out a course to navigate our energy future amid new challenges and opportunities, it is crucial to remember that clean energy not only provides affordable and environmentally sustainable power, but also creates a lot of jobs. Through our advocacy, the Coastal Conservation League is continuing to advance responsible energy and climate policies that help to protect our environment and grow our state’s economy. Stay connected with us so you don’t miss out on important updates about our work and South Carolina’s energy future!