Overview

Energy jobs in the United States figure prominently in the minds of policymakers across the political spectrum. The Obama administration made a large push for green jobs, particularly in his first term—an effort that excited many environmentalists but also led some to claim his job-creation estimates were overstated. Many conservatives favor the development of the Keystone XL pipeline, arguing that one of its compelling features is the creation of several thousand jobs during its construction, which draws criticism from environmentalists but also questions about the long-term job prospects for workers on the pipeline.