Wind power capacity grows at record pace, but industry jobs actually fall
America’s wind energy industry enjoyed a banner year in 2009, thanks largely to tax credits and other incentives packed into the $787 billion economic stimulus bill.
But even though a record 10,000 megawatts of new generating capacity was created, few jobs were created overall and wind power manufacturing employment fell — a setback for President Obama’s pledge to create millions of new “green jobs.” Obama has long pitched green jobs, especially in the energy, transportation and manufacturing fields, as a prescription for long-term, stable employment and a prosperous middle class.
But those jobs have been slow to materialize, especially skilled, good-paying blue-collar jobs such as assembling wind turbines, retrofitting homes to use less energy and working on solar panels in the desert.
Posted: February 9th, 2010 under Business • Jobs
Tags: Green Jobs & Employment, Wind Energy & Wind Farms
