Layoffs Surge in Clean Energy

This week, we look at sky-high layoffs in clean energy. How do we get people back to work?  The first major analysis of unemployment in the clean energy sector has been released for April. According to E2 and BW Research, nearly 600,000 jobs were lost in energy efficiency, manufacturing, electric vehicles and clean power and fuels.  We’ve seen a 17 percent drop in the green workforce since the start of the year. Those losses amount to double the employment growth in clean energy for the last three years.  It’s likely to get worse before it gets better. How much should we worry? And what sectors will come back the fastest? Then, what do 200 of the world’s top economic advisers think about the most effective low-carbon solutions for economic recovery? And finally, we’ll revisit wildfires. Why can’t California utilities, especially northern giant PG&E, get it right when it comes to fire prevention?  Recommended reading:E2: Clean energy Unemployment Claims April 2020NASEO & EFI: 2020 Energy & Employment ReportThe New Republic: There are Green Jobs Hiding in the OilfieldsOxford Report with Stern and Stiglitz: Will COVID-19 fiscal recovery packages accelerate or retard progress on climate change?Axios: Clean energy and climate change unlikely to lead American recoveryPG&E: Q1 Earnings ReportCPUC: Draft Report CA Current: Wildfire Plans Riddled with DeficienciesJudge Alsup: Order Modifying Conditions of PG&E ProbationGTM: Why California Residents Could See Even More Blackouts This YearL.A.Times: California Faces Perilous Fire Season as Coronavirus Threatens FirefightersThe Energy Gang is brought to you by Sungrow, the leading global supplier of inverter solutions for renewables. During these uncertain times, Sungrow is committed to protecting its employees and continuing to reliably serve its customers around the world. Sungrow has also leveraged its extensive network across the United States to distribute face masks to communities in need. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.