Clean Energy Jobs Grow 10% in Kentucky

Jobs associated with the emerging clean energy economy grew 10 percent in Kentucky between 1998 and 2007. That’s compared to overall job growth of about three and half percent, according to new research from the Pew Charitable Trusts. Researchers claim this is the first analysis of its kind to count actual jobs, including those in renewable energy and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. Research Project Director Kil Huh  says the majority of jobs falls under the categories of pollution clean up and recycling.“Starting in the 70s, we made a concerted effort with clean up, pollution mitigation, and also around recycling efforts. And that actually contributes to the clean energy economy because it has a direct impact on our carbon footprint," says Huh.Researchers found that in the same period clean energy jobs, which include everything from wastewater technicians to biofuel scientists, grew more than nine percent nationwide, compared to total job growth of just under four percent