Unequal Gains in a Green Economy: Who Benefits from Wind Energy Development?

As the United States advances toward a carbon-neutral future, the question of who benefits from renewable energy investments becomes increasingly important. A recent study by Gilbert, Hoen, and Gagarin [2] investigates the local labor market impacts of wind energy projects, focusing on employment and wage changes across demographic groups. Using detailed geocoded data covering nearly the entire workforce in 23 United States from 2000 to 2020, the authors provide a rare, granular view of how energy transitions affect individuals differently.