Gov. Jack Markell, D-Del., has introduced legislation that would expand emerging industries, such as wind and solar power, in Delaware to create new long-term careers for the state's citizens.
The Clean Energy Jobs Act would facilitate the potential installation of over 1,000 MW of utility-scale generation, likely in offshore wind power, resulting in as many as 1,000 new construction jobs and 150 new long-term operation and maintenance jobs by 2029. Additional jobs would be created by prioritizing Delaware renewable energy projects and incentivizing the use of locally manufactured systems.
The proposed legislation addsa longer-range target to the existing renewable portfolio standard (RPS), Delaware will be on a course to receive 30% of its energy supplies from renewable sources by 2029. It would also seek uniformity in the RPS and include a local generation component to maximize the economic development potential from wind and solar.
Jobs that a clean energy industry would support include skilled trades' people, electricians, steel fabricators, IT specialists, electrical engineers, solar system installers, wind turbine service technicians, training specialists, factory workers and support service personnel, such as accountants, educators and customer service specialists.
For more information, visit governor.delaware.gov.
SOURCE: Office of Gov. Jack Markell Â
