This working paper from the World Resources Institute shows how federal investment in the clean energy transition can drive rural prosperity. By advancing renewable energy, remediating fossil fuel sites, restoring landscapes, and reducing wildfire risks, the report finds that $55 billion in annual federal investment could direct nearly $15 billion to rural counties and support 260,000 jobs each year for at least five years. The analysis also highlights that nearly half of these jobs would go to economically disadvantaged rural areas, underscoring the need for intentional equity in policy design. At Aspen CSG, we see this as proof that climate action can be an engine of rural economic opportunity—creating good jobs, healthier environments, and wealth that stays rooted in local communities.
THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF THE NEW CLIMATE ECONOMY IN RURAL AMERICA
