Credit: (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

In New Jersey, prioritizing environmentally friendly technologies has supported the establishment of thousands of new jobs over the last several years, according to a report from Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration.

In all, New Jersey has increased its green economy workforce by 12% since 2021, resulting in a gain of more than 6,000 jobs, according to the report from the state Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy.

Although the policy landscape has shifted in a different direction at the federal level, the nearly 140-page report projects there remains an opportunity for additional growth in this sector over the next decade.

More than 14,000 net green jobs are expected to be generated through 2035, according to the report.

Some examples of the green economy include infrastructure technologies such as water, waste, and wastewater treatment and management, as well as stormwater and resiliency infrastructure, administration officials said.

Clean energy technologies include grid infrastructure and storage, renewable energy generation and fuels, energy efficiency and alternative vehicles, the officials said.

“As the growth of our green economy adds thousands of family-sustaining jobs in New Jersey, this report will help guide our continued commitment to meeting the demand for workforce development and coordination across our educational institutions, unions, and training providers,” Murphy said in a statement issued along with the report.

Questions remain

The release of the report comes as New Jersey is facing some uncertainty when it comes to the trajectory of the economy and job market, even as the Murphy administration has been portraying the state as a regional leader in growth and economic development.

In the most recent jobs report, New Jersey’s unemployment rate ticked up to 5%, well ahead of the 4.3% national jobless average.

“Our goal is to continue ensuring every New Jerseyan has the opportunity to thrive in this emerging industry, transforming not just careers but entire communities as we transition to a more environmentally responsible future,” — Robert Asaro-Angelo, Commissioner of the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Across the nation, clean energy jobs grew by nearly 3% last year, according to an annual report published by the Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) business group.

That outpaced the national rate of job growth more than three times over, adding nearly 100,000 new jobs to the national economy, the E2 report said.

“Since 2020, the sector has added more than 520,000 new jobs, growing 17 percent overall — much faster than the rest of the economy and far surpassing job growth in the fossil fuel, gas and diesel motor vehicle, and the rest of the energy industry,” the E2 report said.

With a total of nearly 63,000 clean energy jobs as of 2024, New Jersey ranked 21^st among U.S. states, the report said.

According to the report released by the Murphy administration, a total of 130 green economy projects in New Jersey were funded through federal initiatives launched during the tenure of former President Joe Biden. These include the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Energy & Environment, Business

However, President Donald Trump, a Republican who took office earlier this year, has worked with a GOP Congress in more recent months to undo many of the policies enacted by Biden, including those related to clean energy and electric cars.

“Recent policy decisions to revoke energy incentives, cancel permits, and add additional administrative burdens to clean energy projects puts the continued growth of clean energy jobs in America at serious risk,” according to the E2 report.

For his part, Murphy, a second-term Democrat, has sought to improve New Jersey’s standing in the green economy, including by establishing aggressive goals for clean energy generation over the next decade.

But not all of these efforts have panned out, and Murphy is due to leave office early next year under term limits written into the state Constitution. It remains to be seen whether his successor will carry on the current administration’s environmental policies.

In all, a total of 12 different occupations could continue to see gains under Murphy’s push to boost New Jersey’s total number of green economy jobs, with electricians projected to see the most growth, according to the state report.

What the report revealed

Other high-growth occupations documented in the report are plumbers, heating and air conditioning system mechanics and installers and solar installers, according to the state report.

Among these occupations, most require only a high school diploma or equivalent credential. The report also suggests wages in high-priority green-economy occupations outpace the national average.

Earlier this year, the Murphy administration announced the availability of more than $4 million in Green Workforce Training Grants through the state Economic Development Authority to help develop training programs to prepare New Jersey residents seeking careers in the green economy.

The state report also identified opportunities to improve access to training opportunities for the green economy in southern New Jersey.

“Cultivating a skilled workforce has long been a cornerstone of New Jersey’s vision for sustainability, and the Department of Labor is proud of our ongoing success in developing clear pathways to employment in this area through strategic investments in education, training, and apprenticeship programs,” said state labor commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo, who also serves as co-chair of the New Jersey Council on the Green Economy.

“Our goal is to continue ensuring every New Jerseyan has the opportunity to thrive in this emerging industry, transforming not just careers but entire communities as we transition to a more environmentally responsible future,” Asaro-Angelo said.