Last week, a report was released that found that Connecticut was the top state for green jobs potentially created during the first quarter of 2012.  I say potentially because the findings  are based on announced projects. 

The report (pdf) was produced by Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), which according to its web site, is a national community of business leaders who promote sound environmental policy that builds economic prosperity.

The report is based on the assumption that with 140 clean energy projects being announced during the first quarter of 2012 and that these projects along with 300 separate other projects and job announcements from companies, cities, and organizations will create 46,000 jobs across the U.S.  The report had Connecticut with the fewest projects in the top ten at two but with the most jobs created at 4,500.  Other top ten states included Illinois, California (most projects), Indiana, Tennessee, Iowa, Arizona, North Carolina, Oregon and Texas.

This report also got me thinking as to what two projects in Connecticut were announced in the first quarter of 2012 that would create this many green jobs here? I went to E2′s web site and found the report but it also didn’t site the Connecticut projects.  I’m guessing the two projects are in manufacturing.  Anybody else got any ideas?

Anyhow, below is how the projects are broken down. They include projects and programs in various stages of development mainly in the manufacturing, energy, biofuels and public transportation sectors.

*Power generation companies announced the most clean energy jobs in the first quarter. Wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and other renewable energy sectors announced 68 projects that together would create more than 18,000 jobs.

*Manufacturing companies making everything from electric vehicles to solar panels and wind turbine parts announced 35 projects in the quarter that would create more than 10,000 jobs.

*Many of the first‐quarter job announcements were connected to federal, state or local projects, ranging from building and home efficiency programs in Chicago and Wisconsin to a county‐backed solar farm in Florida.

*Clean energy job announcements have no political or regional boundaries. A total of 70 announcements were in Republican congressional districts; 54 were in Democratic districts and 13 spanned more than one congressional district.

*Connecticut led all states in terms of total clean energy jobs announced in the quarter. Other big states include Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas.

The E2 report is based on job announcements compiled from formal announcements and media reports.

Filed under: Energy, Green Business, Green Jobs, Green Manufacturing