What does West Virginia have in common with Texas and California? The three states added more clean energy jobs last year than any others, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
West Virginia added 7,000 clean energy jobs last year, while California added 13,000 and Texas added 5,000. That’s a 19 percent increase in the Mountain State.
West Virginia remains the nation’s second-biggest coal producer after Wyoming. Yet in 2021, the most recent year statistics are available, there were fewer than 12,000 coal mining jobs statewide.
Companies like Nucor, Berkshire Hathaway Energy and Form Energy have brought new facilities to West Virginia and new clean energy jobs.
The nationwide growth in renewable power, especially wind, solar and battery storage, could bring even more clean energy jobs to the state.