As the first presidential debate approaches between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, voters are looking for insights into their plans for key issues such as the economy, inflation, and job creation. Among the sectors closely watching the election outcome is clean energy, a field that has seen substantial job growth in recent years due to supportive policies but faces potential uncertainty depending on the election results.
Clean energy has experienced a significant boost from recent federal initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Chips and Science Act. These policies have fostered job creation in the sector, with the Department of Energy reporting an increase of 142,000 clean energy jobs last year. This growth rate was more than double that of the broader energy sector and the overall U.S. economy, according to the 2024 U.S. Energy and Employment Report.
The IRA and the Chips and Science Act have provided “long-term certainty” for jobs in energy efficiency, renewables, and climate resilience, as noted by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). The IRA alone is expected to create over 300,000 jobs annually for new energy projects and approximately 100,000 permanent jobs each year, according to EESI estimates.
Despite this optimistic outlook, the clean energy sector faces uncertainty as the election approaches. Industry experts acknowledge that energy systems are constantly evolving, regardless of political shifts. “Energy systems have been in transition for decades — it’s always in transition, it’s always in a state of flux,” said Daniel Bresette, president of EESI.
Ameresco, a company specializing in clean technology and renewable energy projects, is moving forward with its hiring plans irrespective of the election results. The company plans to add 300 new workers in the U.S. and Europe this year, across various roles including engineers, project managers, and analysts. Ameresco, which serves a wide range of clients from government agencies to educational institutions, is also targeting Gen Z for recruitment. The company offers tuition reimbursement and mentorship programs, aiming to attract younger workers interested in sustainable energy careers.
Caroline Leilani Stevenson, a 22-year-old associate electrical engineer at Ameresco, exemplifies the company’s Gen Z hiring strategy. Stevenson, who interned with Ameresco before joining full-time, has worked on projects with the Department of Defense and found the opportunity to contribute to sustainable energy solutions particularly fulfilling.
As Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump prepare for their debate, neither candidate has yet presented a detailed plan on energy and climate change, adding to the sector’s uncertainty. Vice President Kamala Harris played a key role in passing the IRA and has supported green initiatives in the past, though she has moderated some of her positions. former President Donald Trump has promised to reduce energy costs and emphasized domestic oil drilling, while pledging to roll back the IRA’s unspent funds and dismissing the Green New Deal.
Despite the political uncertainty, industry analysts project a significant increase in energy demand in the future. “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,” Daniel Bresette noted. As the energy sector continues to adapt, the focus will remain on meeting the growing need for sustainable and secure energy solutions, regardless of the election’s outcome.
