Oregon's Clean Energy Plan Could Create 200,000 Jobs by 2030

Oregon is betting big on clean energy, and workers stand to win.

A groundbreaking new report from Cornell University maps out how the state could create more than 200,000 direct jobs by the end of 2030 just from clean energy construction alone. Nearly 40,000 of those positions would be in the construction trades, building solar farms, wind turbines, and modernized power grids.

The plan isn't just about jobs. It's about good jobs with union protections, fair wages, and pathways for workers from all backgrounds.

Oregon sits on a renewable energy goldmine. The state ranks third nationwide for geothermal potential and boasts some of the country's highest overall renewable capacity. By 2040, the plan calls for 36 gigawatts of new clean energy generation and an 89% expansion of the transmission system, all built with union labor.

The timing couldn't be more critical for Oregon families. Climate impacts like wildfires, extreme heat, and drought are already hammering household budgets and threatening homes. This transition offers a way to fight back while creating economic opportunity.

What makes Oregon's approach stand out is its commitment to equity. The report, created in partnership with the state's building trades unions, explicitly connects climate action with reducing income, racial, and gender inequality. Strong labor standards mean these jobs will pay prevailing wages and include benefits that can lift families into the middle class.

The state has already laid groundwork through landmark legislation like House Bill 3031 in 2023, which established robust contractor and labor standards for green economy work. Now researchers say Oregon can build the most worker-friendly energy transition in the nation.

The Ripple Effect

The benefits extend far beyond paychecks. Research shows that strengthening Oregon's prevailing wage laws could actually increase state revenue by $10 million, creating more resources for public investment. Better-paid workers spend more in local communities, pay more in taxes, and require less public assistance.

Union-built projects also deliver higher productivity and better safety outcomes. A well trained, diverse pipeline of workers means projects get done right the first time, and everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.

The plan even tackles Oregon's housing affordability crisis through strengthened labor standards and innovative public ownership models. When construction workers earn living wages, housing developments become more sustainable for both builders and buyers.

The report lays out 18 specific recommendations spanning affordable clean energy access, worker protections, reduced emissions from public infrastructure, and more. It's a comprehensive vision that treats climate action and economic justice as two sides of the same coin.

Oregon's message is clear: building a livable future doesn't mean leaving workers behind.