Energy Conservation Technicians

Since energy use constitutes a major expense for industry, commerce, government, institutions, and private citizens, the demand for energy conservation technicians is likely to remain strong. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that the employment of environmental engineering technicians (a career category that includes energy conservation technicians) is expected to increase more slowly than the average for all occupations through 2033. However, this reflects increased automated testing use by the environmental-focused professions in this broader category. In addition to the financial costs of purchasing natural resources, the added reality of the physical costs of depleting these important resources continues to create a greater demand for trained energy conservation employees. However, employment is influenced by local and national economic conditions.

The utilities industry is in the midst of significant regulatory and institutional changes. Government regulations are moving utility companies towards deregulation, opening new avenues for energy service companies. In the past, energy conservation programs have been dominated by people with engineering and other technical skills. These skills will remain important, but as the industry becomes more customer focused, there will be a growing need for more people with marketing and financial skills.

Utility companies, manufacturers, and government agencies are working together to establish energy efficiency standards. The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (http://www.cee1.org) is a collaborative effort involving a group of electric and gas utility companies, government energy agencies, and environmental groups working to develop programs aimed at improving energy efficiency in commercial air-conditioning equipment, lighting, geothermal heat pumps, and other systems. Programs such as these will create job opportunities for technicians.

Utility demand-side management (DSM) programs, which have traditionally concentrated on the residential sector, are now focusing more attention on industrial and commercial facilities. With the goal of realizing larger energy savings, lower costs, and more permanent energy-efficient changes, DSM programs are expanding to work with contractors, builders, retailers, distributors, and manufacturers, creating more demand for technicians.