New Mexico Has More Workers in Advanced Energy than in Agriculture or Call Centers
 

Santa Fe, July 24, 2018 — Today, national business group Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) and its regional partner Interwest Energy Alliance (Interwest) released a fact sheet showing that New Mexico has more than 11,000 people working in advanced energy across the state. This represents more workers than in Agriculture (8,734) and more jobs than those at Call Centers (7,710). Nationally, there are 3.4 million advanced energy workers.

These figures were derived from analysis by AEE and BW Research Associates of data from the 2018 U.S. Energy and Employment Report published by the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) earlier this year, as well as data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“This latest analysis shows that advanced energy has secured its position as a significant industry for New Mexico,” said Sarah Cottrell Propst, Executive Director for Interwest. “We have an opportunity to ensure policies are put in place to support and grow New Mexico’s advanced energy economy and bring even more much-needed jobs and economic investment to the state.”

Key New Mexico employment details:

• Energy efficiency led the segment with more than 5,100 jobs.
• There is strong demand for workers, with 60% of advanced energy employers reporting that it was very difficult to find qualified candidates.
• Top five counties for advanced energy jobs are: Bernalillo (6,000), Santa Fe (850), Dona Ana (730), San Juan (680), and Lea (470).

AEE and Interwest delivered the jobs fact sheets to gubernatorial candidates, Democratic nominee Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Republican nominee Rep. Steve Pearce. In June, the business groups released a policy roadmap to both campaigns outlining how advanced energy can drive economic growth in the state. AEE and Interwest members will be meeting with each gubernatorial candidate in August.

“The next governor of New Mexico is uniquely positioned to leverage the state’s abundant advanced energy resources to drive economic growth, attract investment, and create additional jobs throughout the state — all while positively impacting customers,” said J.R. Tolbert, Vice President of State Policy for Advanced Energy Economy.

About Advanced Energy Economy
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Advanced energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE’s mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. AEE and its state and regional partner organizations are active in 27 states across the country, representing more than 1,000 companies and organizations in the advanced energy industry. Learn more at www.aee.net and track our latest news @AEEnet.

About Interwest Energy Alliance
The Interwest Energy Alliance is a non-profit trade association that represents the nation’s leading companies in the renewable energy industry, bringing them together with the West’s energy and conservation advocacy community to expand deployment of a reliable, cost-effective, and diverse portfolio of renewable energy resources. Interwest leads legislative, regulatory, and policy efforts to expand markets for renewable energy in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. Interwest is a regional partner of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and Advanced Energy Economy (AEE). 

Media Contacts
Interwest: Sarah Cottrell Propst, propst@interwest.org, 505-660-4229
AEE: Monique Hanis, mhanis@aee.net, 202-391-0884