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Last week, the Biden administration made headlines by saying they want to help fossil fuel workers make "better choices" with careers in renewables.
These kinds of comments are obviously tone deaf, but they're also unnecessary.
1/x
These kinds of comments are obviously tone deaf, but they're also unnecessary.
1/x
First of all, the comments were wrong in so many ways. The oilfield workers who have helped make America more energy independent than most of us ever dreamed of didn't make a bad choice. I think most of us are thankful for the choice they did make.
2/x
2/x
Adding insult to injury, the Washington Post fact checker awarded John Kerry Two Pinocchios for also being misleading about renewable jobs.
3/x https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/29/kerrys-misleading-framing-potential-solar-wind-jobs/
3/x https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/29/kerrys-misleading-framing-potential-solar-wind-jobs/
Kerry's comments, however, are actually part of a broader effort to establish a "just transition" for fossil fuel workers who lose their jobs as a result of aggressive climate policy.
If you're not familiar, Google the term "just transition" and you'll see it all over.
4/x
If you're not familiar, Google the term "just transition" and you'll see it all over.
4/x
Ask most any union worker, however, what they actually hear when someone says "transition."
They don't hear "justice," and they certainly aren't excited. They hear "you lose your job." They've been promised it before, and every time the promise is broken.
5/x
They don't hear "justice," and they certainly aren't excited. They hear "you lose your job." They've been promised it before, and every time the promise is broken.
5/x
The "just transition" rhetoric often comes across as just that: a rhetorical device to suggest workers making six figures won't be left high and dry.
It works in press releases, but not in the real world where working families have to put food on the table.
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It works in press releases, but not in the real world where working families have to put food on the table.
6/x
What this means is right out of the gate, the Biden administration committed an unforced error, fueling cynicism and opposition to a key part of their agenda, including among the very union workers that they have promised to help.
7/x
7/x
But here's the irony: you don't need to make promises (which will inevitably get broken) about "transition" assistance, and you certainly don't need belittle energy workers by saying they should make "better choices" in their careers.
8/x
8/x
As it turns out, the market is already undergoing a massive shift, creating new job opportunities in cleaner energy solutions - from the oilfield to renewables.
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9/x
Oil and gas producers are often sourcing their onsite power from wind and solar because it's more affordable. It sounds paradoxical, but there is increasingly a direct relationship between increased drilling and increased renewable power.
10/x https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-energy-renewables/the-permian-paradox-texas-shale-players-go-green-to-drill-more-idUSKBN1XI1HH
10/x https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-energy-renewables/the-permian-paradox-texas-shale-players-go-green-to-drill-more-idUSKBN1XI1HH
Energy companies are investing in cutting edge methane detection technologies, which means more jobs focused on reducing environmental impacts. And, oh yeah, less methane!
11/x https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Oil-and-gas-companies-track-methane-leaks-on-the-15536710.php
11/x https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Oil-and-gas-companies-track-methane-leaks-on-the-15536710.php
Major oil and gas producers are making net-zero commitments, even leveraging the decades of experience they have with carbon sequestration to envision new markets. Once again, that will require new tech and expertise (read: jobs).
12/x https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Oxy-lays-out-net-zero-plan-focused-on-carbon-15769763.php
12/x https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/energy/article/Oxy-lays-out-net-zero-plan-focused-on-carbon-15769763.php
Not for nothing, the average wind industry salary in the Permian Basin is $102,000, according to a report issued last year.
13/x
https://permianpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PSP-Report-FINAL.pdf
13/x
https://permianpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PSP-Report-FINAL.pdf
Many of the high-paying jobs in renewables do require more specialized training or schooling than the high-paying jobs in the oilfield. Unions have made similar points and even said they prefer the oil and gas work.
14/x https://nabtu.org/press_releases/two-new-energy-construction-studies/
14/x https://nabtu.org/press_releases/two-new-energy-construction-studies/
But looking at labor market data, there are still scores of careers in renewable tech that offer salaries in the six figures, including everything from chemical and mechanical engineers to HSE and construction and facilities managers.
15/x
15/x
See for yourself. Here are links to BLS wage estimates for occupations available in wind and solar, as well as semiconductors, which play a key role in all advanced tech (including renewables).
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https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics5_221115.htm
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics5_221114.htm
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_334400.htm
16/x
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics5_221115.htm
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics5_221114.htm
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_334400.htm
None of the amazing innovation and job opportunities in renewables were made possible by claiming roughnecks and coal miners made bad choices.
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17/x
To be clear, none of this is to suggest there isn't a role for government policy in addressing climate change. That will inevitably create winners and losers, and well-crafted policy should carefully address the latter.
18/x
18/x
But the trajectory of energy is already cleaner and cheaper. You want to sell the public on a clean energy future? Focus on the amazing and innovative work being done and the good jobs available -- and leave the attacks on blue collar workers at home.
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