CAMBRIDGE – Following an announcement at the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems Tuesday, it appears that Massachusetts is increasing the amount of clean energy jobs statewide.
According to the 2013 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, the Commonwealth’s number of clean energy jobs rose 11.8 percent between June of 2012 and June of 2013, the second consecutive year of double digit growth in that sector, as 5,557 clean energy companies are now employing 79,994 workers across the Commonwealth, a growth of almost 25 percent over the past two years.
“Building a clean energy future is central to our growth strategy, and another year of double digit job growth is proof that our strategy is working,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “We pursue our clean energy agenda because we cannot leave our future to chance.”
“Our clean energy industry is putting thousands of our residents to work in every corner of the Commonwealth,” said Patrick. “Catalyzing economic development and creating a healthier Massachusetts for the next generation.”
“The Patrick Administration’s commitment to proactive clean energy policies, coupled with access to private capital and a skilled, educated workforce create the basis for the strong job creation numbers we see in this report,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary, and former Westfield Mayor, Rick Sullivan.
According to the report, western Massachusetts saw an increase of 8.4 percent, with just over 11,100 jobs added in the region.
According to the report, over half of the 5,557 clean energy firms located in the Bay State are classified as small businesses, meaning they have five or fewer full-time employees. New entrants into the sector were the source of the most growth according to the report, especially clean energy startups.
Global companies have also shifted their thinking towards the clean energy market and added to the industry’s growth in recent years, such as Gillette, whose headquarters are located in South Boston, and Shell, which recently opened an office in Cambridge focused on “harnessing local innovation” and “making clean energy part of their strategic investments.”
When asked of what the growth means for greater Westfield, Sullivan said that the report is going to lead to not only increases in innovation, but also in jobs of a more everyday capacity in western Hampden County.
“People in Westfield and the surrounding areas are finding jobs in insulation, building home repair, energy efficient appliances,” he said. “Elm Electric is doing more solar work, and Westfield Gas and Electric has done a lot for energy efficiency work to lower utility bills.”
He listed Sandri Oil in Greenfield as another regional company who is looking to help western Mass. residents become more energy efficient.
The 2013 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report was prepared for MassCEC by the BW Research Partnership, and whose author, Philip Jordan, said it indicates a trend for the Bay State.
“The Massachusetts clean energy sector’s continued growth highlights the importance of leveraging innovative entrepreneurs and research universities and the importance of informed consumers that provide strong demand for clean energy goods and services all across the Commonwealth,” he said.
