US wind power jobs hit record, up 20% in 2016

Texas leads nation with over 24,000 wind energy employees, Oklahoma in second place with more than 7,000

American wind power supported a record 88,000 jobs at the start of 2016—an increase of 20 per cent in a year—according to the U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report, Year Ending 2015, released by the American Wind Energy Association.

Strong job growth coincided with wind ranking number one as America’s leading source of new generating capacity last year, outpacing solar and natural gas.

“Wind power benefits more American families than ever before,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of AWEA.

“We’re helping young people in rural America find a job close to home. Others are getting a fresh chance to rebuild their careers by landing a job in the booming clean energy sector. With long-term, stable policy in place, and a broader range of customers now buying low-cost wind-generated electricity, our workforce can grow to 380,000 well-paying jobs by 2030.”

Congress passed a long-term extension of the wind energy Production Tax Credit and alternative Investment Tax Credit with bipartisan support late last year. With the extension in place and the recent industry growth, wind energy is on track to meet the Department of Energy’s Wind Vision scenario of supplying 20 percent of U.S. electricity by 2030.

“Made-in-the-USA wind power will help keep our economy competitive and our air clean for generations,” Kiernan said. “Our wind energy will never run out.”

Chris Brown, president of Vestas Americas and incoming AWEA Board Chair, hosted a press conference Tuesday at Vestas Americas Wind Systems’ Brighton manufacturing plant. The facility assembles turbine nacelles, which house the gearbox and electrical generator at the top of a wind turbine. Vestas employs nearly 3,700 Colorado workers, and the state is home to two of the nation’s top wind tech training programs.

“Innovative turbine technology has cut the cost of wind energy by two-thirds in just six years,” said Brown. “Our job growth and cost-cutting is showing state policymakers and utilities how zero-emissions wind turbines are the economical and environmental solution for cutting carbon pollution cost-effectively.

State-by-state job, economic benefits rankings

The job growth in 2015 is primarily attributable to more wind project development and construction, requiring more than 38,000 employees. The industry also experienced a stabilization of its manufacturing sector, which now supports over 21,000 well-paying jobs across 43 states, up over 10 percent in a year. And more than 8,800 jobs are held by wind turbine technicians, the fastest growing profession in the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (growing more than twice as fast as the next fastest-growing job of occupational therapy assistant).

Texas leads the nation with over 24,000 wind energy employees. Wind project construction propelled Oklahoma to second place with more than 7,000 jobs. Rounding out the top five are Iowa and Colorado with over 6,000 jobs, and after moving up 11 spots, Kansas ranks fifth with over 5,000 wind workers. Maine gained the most in the state wind employment rankings, rising 16 spots.

Source: AWEA U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report Year Ending 2015

Jobs at wind farms, wind-related manufacturing facilities, or both, are now located in 70 per cent of U.S. Congressional districts.

Source: AWEA U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report Year Ending 2015

Across the U.S. wind has attracted $128 billion in new wind project investment over the last 10 years. Texas ranks number one with the most capital investment at over $32.7 billion.

The Lone Star State is followed by California (over $11.9 billion), Iowa ($11.8 billion), Oklahoma ($9.6 billion), and Illinois ($7.7 billion).

Overall, 70 per cent of wind farms are located in low-income counties, supplying them with an economic boost. Wind developers pay a growing total of $222 million a year in land lease payments to U.S. farmers, ranchers and other rural landowners.