Wind Brings Jobs and Economic Development to All 50 States

Wind energy’s economic and employment benefits

The American wind industry is a leading creator of jobs and economic development across all 50 states. This report details how the wind industry has invested more than $143 billion in the United States over the last decade, and is poised for future growth. In 2016, the U.S. wind industry broke the 100,000 job marker for the first time, reaching 102,500 industry jobs in all 50 states. Navigant Consulting expects wind-related employment to reach 248,000 jobs by 2020 when including economic activity induced by the wind industry. Looking forward, the industry will drive $85 billion in economic activity through 2020.

In this report

• In 2016, the U.S. wind industry broke the 100,000 job marker for the first time, reaching 102,500 industry jobs in all 50 states.
• Navigant Consulting expects wind-related employment to reach 248,000 jobs by 2020 when including economic activity induced by the wind industry.
• Jobs from the U.S. wind industry benefit all 50 states, ranging from construction to manufacturing to project operation.
• Over the last 10 years, the wind industry has invested $143 billion in U.S. wind projects.
• Looking forward, the industry will drive $85 billion in economic activity through 2020, according to Navigant Consulting.
• As the U.S. wind industry continues to grow, Navigant expects land lease payments to local landowners to grow from $245 million annually in 2016 to over $350 million by 2020, with nearly all of the payments flowing to rural America.
• Navigant forecasts that new projects built over the next four years will provide a cumulative $8 billion in property, income, and sales tax payments.