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Michigan continues to lead in clean energy jobs and investment, report says • Michigan Advance

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Over the past year, Michigan lawmakers have taken a number of steps to pave the way for an energy transition, setting clean energy goalschanging the state’s siting process for large renewable energy and battery storage projects, and providing homeowners with the ability to make energy-saving improvements to their homes.

As policymakers continue to push the state toward a clean energy future, new Climate Power report — a communications firm focused on building support for climate action — says Michigan continues to lead the nation in Inflation Reduction Act projects, leveraging more than $25 billion in new investment across the state.

According to the report, since August 2022, companies have announced or advanced projects that account for more than 312,900 new clean jobs. Of that number, Michigan has gained 21,490 new jobs.

Of the 585 projects that are creating new jobs, most are concentrated in five states: Michigan, Texas, Georgia, California, and South Carolina. Michigan captured the largest share, with 58 new projects, Texas came in second with 46, and Georgia third with 41.

Climate Power Report

In 2023, Michigan also led the nation in clean energy projects, according to another Climate Power report It was predicted that 167,000 jobs would be created in the energy sector over the next decade.

Continuing a trend from the previous 2023 report, the majority of new clean energy projects in the U.S. are located in congressional districts represented by Republican members of the House of Representatives. Nearly 182,000 new jobs and $282.1 billion in investment were attracted by 321 clean energy projects in 146 Republican-held districts across the country.

The report also details the investment these projects bring to rural and low-income communities.

In Michigan, 24 projects created 14,306 jobs in low-income areas, generating nearly $11.76 billion in investment. In rural parts of the state, seven projects generated $5.9 billion in investment and created 3,086 jobs.

IN statement issued in early JulyGov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Reps. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) and Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) praised the state’s efforts to secure federal funding.

“Michigan made the world go round, and now we are leading the nation in ushering in a new era of transportation and clean energy,” Dingell said in a statement. “I am proud to have worked with my colleagues in Congress to secure investments that power the future of clean energy, mobility and sustainability in Michigan in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I will continue to work with Governor Whitmer and all of our partners to deliver this funding to our communities.”