100,000 jobs were lost in the clean energy sector in March.

View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed]

Hi John,

There have been more than 22 million jobless claims filed in the US since the COVID-19 crisis began, and this week we learned that more than 100,000 jobs ([link removed]) were lost in the clean energy sector in March. This news further illustrates how this crisis is impacting every aspect of the economy.

As the demand for clean energy grows, so has the industry, including a variety of jobs ranging from electricians, roofers to plumbers to hybrid car factory workers—many employed by small businesses. The clean energy industry has become an increasingly critical aspect of the American economy, improving our global competitiveness and placing us closer to our climate goals. The crisis will likely have long-term impacts on the industry, making it clear that this sector should be considered in future phases of recovery.

And just one week after we learned of the connection between COVID-19 mortality rates and long-term exposure to air pollutants, the Trump Administration announced plans to loosen mercury emissions regulations ([link removed]) for oil and coal-fired power plants. As Senior Vice President for Climate and Energy at Third Way, Josh Freed, said in a statement ([link removed]) , “It is utterly immoral for the Trump Administration to handcuff science and allow coal and oil power plants to emit more mercury and other air pollution. This was never justifiable. Now that we’re in the midst of a pandemic made worse in the United States by an Administration that flagrantly disregards scientific
expertise, it is thoroughly repugnant.”
Share the Related Tweet of the Week ([link removed])
[link removed]

The Changing US Energy Landscape

Recently, President Trump met with leaders of the coal and oil industry after being left out of the $2 trillion stimulus package. But recent reports show that even before the COVID-19 crisis, US oil in the Permian Basin ([link removed]) was already experiencing a downturn. The economic fallout of the crisis has exacerbated the decline, providing the President with a fresh opportunity to make good on a campaign promise to revitalize struggling coal and oil. As the US continues to make a transition to clean energy, it will be equally, if not more important, to ensure that clean and renewable energy projects and businesses are thriving during and after this crisis. Even with new jobless claims, the industry has a proven track record of stability. It also serves to address climate change, another slow-moving disaster that, if not mitigated, will have negative economic and health impacts.
Talking Points:
* Even as more than 100,000 workers have lost their jobs, the clean energy sector remains incredibly important in this crisis and will continue to remain so as we recover.
* The future of the US economy relies heavily on using resources that will help during the era of recovery, and clean energy is proving its worth by maintaining a stable value even as coal and oil have taken a nosedive even before the recovery.
* Proper support from the government will not only increase US energy independence and freedom from dirty fossil fuels, but also help put millions back to work.

What Does Infrastructure Look Like During the COVID-19 Recovery?
Yesterday, we held the second in a series of panels that explore how to respond to the COVID-19 economic crisis and still reach our climate and clean energy goals. When Congress returns, they will be focused on the next phases of stimulus and how to get Americans back to work after weeks of jobless claims. One area they could focus on is infrastructure, which could put Americans back to work immediately, and if done right, reduce emissions and expand equity and accessibility.

We hope you were able to join us! Don’t forget to register for the April 30 discussion: Labor, Clean Energy, and the American Worker During the COVID-19 Crisis. Panelists will be announced soon. Register here ([link removed]) .
As always, let’s keep the conversation going,
Jared

Jared DeWese
Senior Communications Advisor | Third Way
202.384.1737 :: @jareddewese ([link removed])

T.J. Osborne
Climate and Energy Press Coordinator | Third Way
202.775.5163 :: @tjosborne_ ([link removed])

Jackie Toth
Advisor for Policy and Content, Climate and Energy | Third Way
202.775.5167 :: @JackieTothDC ([link removed])

============================================================
Copyright © 2020 Third Way. All rights reserved.
Want to change how you receive these emails? You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.