Clean energy sector looks to create even more jobs after the election — regardless of who wins
As presidential nominees Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump prepare to face off in their first debate Tuesday night, voters will be tuning in for clarity on their plans to handle issues including the economy, inflation and job growth.
One sector that faces particular uncertainty after the election is clean energy, which has received a boost from the Biden administration but faced skepticism from Trump.
Climate change and a move toward more sustainable energy have bolstered job growth in the sector in recent years, thanks in part to funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Chips and Science Act. Recent data from the Department of Energy showed clean energy employment increased by 142,000 jobs last year, accounting for more than half of new energy-sector jobs.
The rate was more than double the growth for the rest of the energy sector and the overall U.S. economy, according to the newly released 2024 U.S. Energy and Employment Report.
Since the implementation of the IRA and the CHIPS and Science Act, there’s been more “long-term certainty” for jobs related to energy efficiency, renewables and climate resilience, the nonprofit Environmental and Energy Study Institute said. The IRA is projected to generate more than 300,000 jobs annually for new energy project construction and about 100,000 permanent jobs each year, according to the EESI.
While job growth in the sector faces uncertainty after the election, industry watchers say the future of energy production and consumption is always changing.
“Energy systems have been in transition for decades — it’s always in transition, it’s always in a state of flux,” Daniel Bresette, president of EESI, said of the upcoming election’s impact.
Ameresco, which integrates clean tech and develops, owns and operates renewable energy projects, is forging ahead with hiring plans regardless of the election’s outcome. It will increase its hiring by 300 workers in the U.S. and Europe this year, in positions ranging from engineers to project managers, developers, analysts and more. Ameresco provides efficient energy solutions for clients that range from federal and state governments to colleges and hospitals.
“Everyone needs energy no matter what, regardless of who is in the White House. So the driver is going to be increasing that need for more secure energy sources, for cheaper energy sources and for cleaner energy sources,” said Nicole Bulgarino, executive vice president and general manager of federal and utility solutions at Ameresco.
The company is also looking to Gen Z to fill the jobs, as fewer applicants are coming up through trade and vocational schools and younger workers have shown an interest in climate-friendly opportunities. Ameresco, which offers tuition reimbursement and mentorship programs, said it has had success in recruiting recent college grads and investing in their training.
Caroline Leilani Stevenson, a 22-year-old associate electrical engineer at Ameresco, is part of the Gen Z hiring push. Stevenson interned with Ameresco and came back full-time after graduation, working today on projects with the Department of Defense.
She was able to work on a solar project in Honolulu, which was particularly meaningful, as she grew up on Maui. Like others in her generation, she found the idea of working toward more sustainable energy solutions appealing.
“I wanted to make an impact and build something really big,” she said. “The energy needs of a large naval base are not the same as a small elementary school and the suburbs of New York or the energy usage of a hospital are not the same as a large data center … It’s great to be able to design something for a specific site and make a difference in that way. Being able to see and know that the power from these lines is going somewhere and it’s eventually going to improve life at large.”
As Harris and Trump prepare to debate their policies, neither candidate has put forth a comprehensive plan on energy and climate change so far, leading to uncertainty for the sector. But their experiences in the White House can help to inform possible paths.
Harris was a key part of implementing the Inflation Reduction Act, as she cast the tiebreaking vote to pass the bill as vice president to President Joe Biden. She also backed the Green New Deal while serving in the Senate but has walked back some of her earlier stances that veered further to the progressive left. Harris also said during an interview with CNN that she would not ban fracking, a position she’d taken in her previous bid for the White House.
Trump meanwhile has promised to make energy cheaper and focused on drilling for oil in the U.S. He also rolled back major climate policies and has said he would rescind the IRA’s unspent dollars if elected. He called the Green New Deal the “Green New Scam” at an event at the Economic Club of New York last week.
One thing is for sure: Industry analysts are projecting the need for energy to increase significantly, regardless of November’s outcome.
“There [is] lots and lots of new, especially in the electricity space, lots of new demand, [from] the transportation sector, electrification, data centers, artificial intelligence. All of that adds up to a lot of electricity demand,” said Bresette. “It is almost difficult to imagine how much more energy we’re going to need in the future.”
Fall is here, and so is Amazon’s Prime Day on October 8-9 – your chance to snag up to 50% off BLUETTI’s portable power solutions! Exclusive Electrek reader discounts are up for grabs, but just like Halloween candy, they’re gone by October 31. Don’t miss out! Keep reading for all the details.
BLUETTI AC50B Portable Power Station
The AC50B power station is a compact powerhouse, weighing just 14.8 pounds and packing a personal-sized 448Wh capacity with 700W output (peaking at 1,000W). With six ports – two AC, two USB-C, one USB-A, and a car port – it’s ready to charge all your essentials.
Built to last, it features an ultra-safe LiFePO4 battery with 3,000+ life cycles, and it’s rated for at least 10 years of continuous use, making it a solid investment for road trips, camping, or any adventure. The Turbo Charging mode gets you back to 80% power in just 45 minutes with a wall outlet or fully charged in three hours using a 200W solar panel. Plus, you can easily monitor and control everything via the BLUETTI app on your smartphone or tablet.
The AC50B’s list price is $399, but the Prime Day deal price is $279, saving you $120 – that’s a 30% discount! Buy it on Amazon here.
BLUETTI is also offering Portable Power Station AC50B with 120W Solar Panel included. Ordinarily $598, the Prime Day deal price is $449, saving you $149 – a 25% discount. Buy the bundle on Amazon here.
BLUETTI AC70 Portable Power Station
The grab-and-go AC70 Power Station is your budget-friendly energy solution for everything from powering a campsite kitchen to setting up a remote workspace. With 950W Turbo Charging, it powers up fast—hitting 80% in just 45 minutes.
It weighs a mere 22.5 pounds, but the BLUETTI AC70 packs a punch when it comes to power. Its 768Wh capacity and DC, AC, and USB inputs support all your devices, whether it’s a 120W car fridge, a projector, or an induction cooktop.
The AC70 delivers 1,000W of continuous power to connect various appliances simultaneously. It also comes equipped with a “Power Lifting” function you can activate from the BLUETTI App. This feature can handle high-power resistive loads up to 2,000W, allowing you to power energy-intensive devices such as hair dryers, electric kettles, and heaters.
The AC70’s list price is $699, but the Prime Day deal price is $379, saving you $320 – that’s an impressive 46% discount! Buy it on Amazon here.
The AC70 also comes with an optional 120W solar panel so you’ll always have access to power if you’re headed off-grid.
BLUETTI AC180 Portable Power Station
Looking for a power solution that can keep up with your adventurous lifestyle? Meet the BLUETTI AC180 portable power station—your go-to energy source for everything from camping trips to home backup. With a robust 1,152Wh (or 1,440Wh for the AC180P) capacity and a powerful 1,800W output (up to 2,700W with Power Lifting Mode), this portable station can handle everything from charging your phone to running high-powered devices like space heaters and kettles. Its compact, grab-and-go design makes it easy to take wherever your adventures lead.
The AC180 is built for versatility. With 11 output ports – including AC, USB-A, USB-C, a 12V DC outlet, and even a wireless charging pad – it’s perfect for off-grid living, road trips, or home use during power outages. And when you’re out in the wild, simply hook it up to 200W solar panels to recharge in just a few hours. Plus, with the BLUETTI app, you can control and monitor everything from your phone.
The AC180 uses ultra-reliable LiFePO4 batteries, giving you over 3,500 life cycles. It even comes with a five-year warranty for that extra peace of mind. And with four flexible recharging options – AC, solar, car, or generator – you’ll never run out of power.
The AC180’s list price is $999, but the Prime Day deal price is $499, saving you $500 – that’s 50% off!! Buy it on Amazon here.
BLUETTI is also offering Portable Power Station AC180 with 200W Solar Panel included. Ordinarily $1,598, the Prime Day deal price is $799, saving you $799 – also a fantastic 50% discount! Buy the bundle on Amazon here.
BLUETTI AC200L Portable Power Station
The BLUETTI AC200L is a portable power station that’s built to handle anything. With a powerful 2,400W AC output and a 3,600W Power Lifting Mode, it starts with a 2,048Wh capacity but can expand to a massive 4,096Wh with a B230 battery, or up to 8,192Wh with two B300 batteries (or 6,348Wh with two B210 batteries). Whether you’re prepping for an outage or hitting the road for an off-grid adventure, this portable powerhouse is ready for it all. Pair it with a 200W solar panel for easy, clean energy on the go.
Thanks to its LiFePO4 battery and advanced Battery Management System, you can count on the AC200L for efficient, quiet, and long-lasting performance – perfect for everything from daily electricity needs to outdoor adventures. Its versatility lets you power multiple devices, whether you’re cooking at camp or staying connected during a blackout.
One of the standout features of the AC200L is its solar capabilities. Supporting up to 1,200W of solar input, you can fully charge in just two hours with the right setup. No more stressing about losing power on long road trips or during extended camping stays – this station is designed to keep you powered up and ready for whatever comes next.
The AC200L’s list price is $1,999, but the Prime Day deal price is $1,199, saving you $800 – that’s a 40% discount. Buy it on Amazon here.
- BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC200L + 200W Solar Panel included was $2,499, Fall Prime Day deal price is now $1,299. That’s $1,200 in savings, or 48% off. Buy it on Amazon here.
- BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC200L + 350W Solar Panel included was $2,848, Fall Prime Day deal price is now $1,499. That’s $1,349 in savings, or 47% off. Buy it on Amazon here.
BLUETTI Fall Prime Day discount codes for Electrek readers
Here are the exclusive discount codes for Electrek readers:
- To save an extra 3% on the AC70 Portable Power Station, use the code BLUETTI3OFF at checkout.
- To save an extra 5% osn the AC180 and AC200L Portable Power Stations, use the code BLUETTI5OFF at checkout.
The codes are only valid on Amazon until October 31.
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Minnesota’s only public school district located within a sovereign tribal nation has added two new electric school buses to its fleet.
This makes Red Lake School District #38 one of the first public school districts in the US with a predominantly Indigenous population (98%) to tap into funding from the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which granted the district $790,000 to buy electric school buses and chargers. The school district’s curriculum includes teaching the Ojibwe language, Ojibwemowin, and Ojibwe traditions.
Tim Lutz, superintendent of Red Lake Schools, said, “As an educational institution, our priority is to provide learning opportunities for students and community members in as many ways as we can. We do this not only through our curriculum but also by embracing best practices in energy and sustainability while preparing our students for future careers. We’re proud to have acquired these two electric school buses, and we believe they will serve us well.”
The sovereign tribal nation’s district, which serves 1,560 students, partnered with Highland Electric Fleets, a company that provides Electrification-as-a-Service for school bus fleets in North America, to procure two Blue Bird Type C Vision Electric school buses and two EV chargers for its bus depot. The Vision Electric charges in six to eight hours and has a range of up to 130 miles. It has a Cummins PowerDrive 7000 propulsion system and a 155 kWh Li-ion NMC/ G cell battery.
Each of the new electric buses will transport about 50 students, and with the charging infrastructure in place, the electric buses will have an average range of 110 miles per day with a full midday charge. Together, the two buses are expected to cover around 10,000 miles per year.
Duncan McIntyre, CEO and founder of Highland Electric Fleets, told me in a video call, “School bus transportation is hyperlocal, and this project gave us the opportunity to meet Red Lake Nation where they are and help them further their mission of bringing safe, reliable electric school bus service to their community.”
Read more: Blue Bird just delivered its 2,000th electric school bus
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On today’s episode of Quick Charge, rumors about a new Tesla van join the hype surrounding the Robotaxi reveal, and full self driving might be coming to the Tesla Semi. What’s more, Tesla is bringing back 0% financing on new Model Ys … if you buy FSD, that is.
We also explore BYD’s plans to sell 100,000 new EVs in North America next year, ZEEKR’s Europem [sic] expansion, and Texans’ take on government meddling in their solar rights. Enjoy!
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