Michigan is struggling to bring back clean energy jobs. That sector has lost more than 22,000 jobs in the state since the pandemic began.
November numbers show Michigan regained only 215 clean energy jobs.
The entire sector across the country has taken a hit because of the pandemic.
“Well, what's been happening nationally is reflected in Michigan and maybe, unfortunately, maybe even a little worse. Michigan has regained like less than 1% of the clean energy jobs lost to the COVID-19,” said Greg Wetstone CEO of the American Council on Renewable Energy.
About 17% of the clean energy workforce in Michigan is still unemployed.
Across the nation nearly 450,000 are out of work. At the peak of unemployment, more than 620,000 clean energy workers were unemployed.
Home energy efficiency makes up much of the job loss. People are hesitant to have workers in their house because of the risk of COVID-19.
