National study, from the third quarter of 2013, also notes an increase in alternative fueling stations and ranks the top states in energy efficiency

Denver, Colo, November 21, 2013 – Ecotech Institute’s Clean Jobs Index, a tool to compare states’ use and development of clean energy, found more than one million job postings in the clean energy sector from July 1, 2013, through September 30, 2013. This shows a 54 percent increase in needed clean energy employees, evidence that the sector is rapidly growing and in need of experts.

Ecotech Institute, the first and only school dedicated to educating students solely in clean energy fields such as solar, wind and renewable energy, launched the Clean Jobs Index in January 2013 to provide objective job information about the clean tech industry. The Index also looks at various sustainability factors such as alternative fueling stations, LEED projects and total energy consumption in all 50 states. The Clean Jobs Index defines a clean tech job as one where workers make their business more environmentally friendly, use fewer natural resources or produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment.

To complement the increase in these clean energy job opportunities, 1,543 new alternative fueling stations opened across the United States since the second quarter 2013. Between the months of July and September, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Tennessee had the most alternative fueling stations per capita.

Highlights from the Clean Jobs Index, Q3 2013

Number of U.S. Clean Jobs Postings:
1,099,734 (a 54 percent increase from Q2 2013)

New Alternative Fueling Stations (Since Q2 2013):
1,543

States With the Most Alternative Fueling Stations (Per Capita):
Hawaii, Oregon, Washington and Tennessee

In Q3, Ohio Moved From 24th in Energy Efficiency to 2nd in the Nation

The Most Energy Efficient States (in no particular order):
California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island*, Vermont and Washington

States With the Most Incentives for Sustainability and Renewables (in no particular order):
California, Texas, Minnesota, Washington and Oregon

*(Rhode Island added more incentives and rebates than any other state in Q3.)

“This data shows a long-awaited boom in the clean tech industry, from the increases in alternative fueling options to a massive amount of clean job opportunities,” said Kyle Crider, Ecotech Institute’s Program Chair and Manager of Environmental Operations. “States now offer more sustainability and renewable incentives than we’ve ever seen before, which proves that they’re taking the power of the industry seriously. In the state of the current economy, over 1 million job opportunities is a truly incredible statistic. We’re proud that Ecotech is the only higher education institution out there devoted entirely to helping students become successful professionals in this rapidly expanding sector.”

Ecotech Institute’s Clean Jobs Index is an aggregation of statistics by state, developed on a number of factors. LEED projects, energy efficiency, green pricing, net metering, total energy consumption and alternative fueling stations are all considered when ranking states. Higher index numbers suggest a state’s propensity to embrace renewable energy and energy efficiency. It may also indicate a greater possibility for employment in that local clean economy sector, though the Clean Jobs Index in no way indicates the presence or the promise of any specific job opportunities. Data is gathered regularly from independent research entities including: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Green Building Council.

To learn more about the Clean Jobs Index, please visit www.ecotechinstitute.com/cleanjobsindex. To learn more about Ecotech Institute, go to www.ecotechinstitute.com.

About Ecotech Institute
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, it offers eight highly practical renewable energy degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers. Classes start once per quarter and applications are always accepted. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit www.ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576.

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