The Clean Energy Boom That's Happening in Communities of Color
Climate Power: Apparently, since the passage Biden's climate plan, nearly 70 percent of clean energy projects announced are in communities of color
a Climate Power report
Since the landmark Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) became law in August 2022, companies are racing forward with massive investments to build our clean energy future. New manufacturing in wind, solar, batteries, and electric vehicles — along with storage projects across the country - means new, good-paying jobs for hard-working Americans. In the months since the landmark climate and clean energy investments became law, clean energy companies have announced or moved forward with 191 projects accounting for more than 140,000 new clean energy jobs for electricians, mechanics, construction workers, technicians, support staff, and
many others. 129 of these projects are located in areas with sizeable communities of color, bringing more than 85,000 new jobs to communities of color across the United States – from Arizona to Rhode Island. As the largest U.S. investment in clean energy and climate in history, the Biden administration’s clean energy plan will continue to reshape and recharge our economy for many decades to come.
Public announcements from the private sector since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act demonstrate the breadth and scale of the growing clean energy economy being built nationwide and the direct benefits for communities of color. Specifically …
➔ A majority of new clean energy jobs and projects are located in communities of color across America.
➔ 129 projects located in communities of color across 34 states are creating more than 85,263 new clean energy jobs and $100.34 billion in investment.
➔ Arizona, Georgia, South Carolina, Nevada, and Michigan are home to the largest number of new clean energy jobs in communities of color.
➔ In Black communities, there are 71 new clean energy projects, spurring $42.7 billion in investment and 42,513 new clean energy jobs since the passage of the IRA. South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, New York, and Tennessee are home to the largest number of new clean energy jobs in Black communities.
➔ In Latino communities, there are 43 new clean energy projects, spurring $28.5 billion in investment and 35,105 new clean energy jobs since the passage of the IRA. Arizona, Nevada, California, Texas, and Rhode Island are home to the largest number of new clean energy jobs in Latino communities.
➔ In Native American communities, there are 48 new clean energy projects, spurring $32.2 billion in investment and 37,987 new clean energy jobs since the passage of the IRA. Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma, California, and Texas are home to the largest number of new clean energy jobs in Native American communities.
➔ In Asian/Asian American communities, there are 22 new clean energy projects, spurring $8.2 billion in investment and 14,303 new clean energy jobs since the passage of the IRA. Nevada, New York, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas are home to the largest number of new clean energy jobs in Asian communities.
➔ In Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander communities, there are 40 new clean energy projects, spurring $48.7 billion in investment and 33,397 new clean energy jobs since the passage of the IRA. Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Rhode Island, and Tennessee are home to the largest number of new clean energy jobs in Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander communities.
Nationally, clean energy projects creating 142,016 new jobs in 41 states and generating $242.81 billion for local communities were announced or advanced between August 16, 2022, and March 31, 2023. Of the total 191 new clean energy projects nationally, 129 are located in communities of color across 34 states, representing $100,346,412,175 in new investment and 85,263 new clean energy jobs.
Plans include 51 new battery manufacturing sites in places like Augusta, Georgia; Tucson, Arizona; and St, Louis, Missouri. So far, companies have announced plans for 26 new or expanded electric vehicle manufacturing facilities in Pryor, Oklahoma; Montgomery, Alabama; Detroit, Michigan - and more. A further 36 plans were announced to expand wind and solar manufacturing in cities including Pueblo, Colorado; Sacramento, California; and Poinciana, Florida. The majority of the projects are in 10 states — South Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, Texas, California, Michigan, New York, Nevada, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
States around the country have benefited from the provisions of the national clean energy plan. Even climate deniers have touted the benefits of the law for their communities because they now understand that this clean energy plan means big investments and new jobs. Already, the new law has signicantly benefited local economies and will provide family-sustaining wages in communities of color from coast to coast.
Spotlight: Black Communities
In total, there are 71 projects in communities with sizeable Black populations, spanning 18 states: AL, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, and VA. The top states for new clean energy jobs in Black communities are South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, New York, and Tennessee. The top states for investments in projects in Black communities are Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Michigan, and Tennessee.
Spotlight: Hispanic/Latino Communities
In total, there are 43 projects in communities with sizeable Hispanic/Latino populations, spanning 13 states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, NC, NM, NV, NY, RI, TX, and WA. Arizona, Nevada, California, Texas, and Rhode Island are the top states for new clean energy jobs in Hispanic/Latino communities. The top states for investments in projects in Hispanic/Latino communities are Arizona, California, North Carolina, Texas, and Nevada.
Spotlight: Native American Communities
In total, there are 48 projects in communities with sizeable Native American populations, spanning 16 states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, GA, ME, MN, NC, ND, NM, NV, OK, RI, TX, WA, and WI. The top states for new clean energy jobs in Native American communities are Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma, California, and Texas. The top states for investments in projects in Native American communities are Arizona, North Carolina, California, Nevada, and Texas.
Spotlight: Asian/Asian American Communities
In total, there are 23 projects in communities with sizeable Asian/Asian American populations, spanning ten states: CA, MA, MI, NC, NV, NY, OH, OR, TX, and WA. The top states for new clean energy jobs in Asian/Asian American communities are Nevada, New York, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas. The top states for investments in projects in Asian/Asian American communities are Nevada, Oregon and Washington (tied), Texas, and California.
Spotlight: Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Communities
In total, there are 40 projects in communities with sizeable Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations, spanning 17 states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, KY, MA, NV, NY, OR, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, and WA. The top states for new clean energy jobs in Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander communities are Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Rhode Island, and Tennessee. The top states for investments in projects in Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander communities are Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Tennessee.