106K clean energy jobs lost in March: analysis 

More than 106,000 jobs in the clean energy sector were lost in March amid economic downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new analysis. 

The analysis, which was conducted by BW Research Partnership for the E2 advocacy group, found that the 3 percent employment drop had more than erased the industry’s growth for the year prior. 

“What these numbers tell us is that clean energy workers are a huge and important part of America’s workforce – and they are hurting badly,” E2’s executive director Bob Keefe said in a statement.

“Lawmakers simply cannot ignore the millions of electricians, technicians and factory workers who work in clean energy as they consider ongoing economic recovery efforts – especially since we know from our country’s last economic meltdown that clean energy can lead the way to recovery,” Keefe added. 

The analysis showed losses in several areas of the clean energy sector, including energy efficiency renewable power generation and alternative transportation. 

These areas lost about 69,800 jobs, 16,500 and 12,300 jobs respectively.

Last week, renewable energy and environmental groups wrote to Congress highlighting difficulties faced by renewable producers and warning of layoffs.

The economy at large has also suffered due to closures relating to the virus. About 6.6 million Americans filed new applications for unemployment benefits during the first week of April.