Colorado ranked fourth nationally in the growth of green jobs during the third quarter of 2014, Environmental Entrepreneurs, E2, reports.

In the third quarter, Colorado picked up 1,333 new green jobs out of a total of 18,035 created nationally.

Ranking first to third, respectively, were Nevada (6,556), New York (3,822) and California (2,070).

Renewable energy accounted for 6,094 new jobs, manufacturing announced 9,892 jobs and 1,800 were in the “other” category. Recycling produced 243 jobs and there were six in the “building efficiency” class.

The top four producers of new green jobs were the only states to create more than 1,000 jobs. The next closest state was North Carolina with 876 new green jobs.

The new jobs were announced in 23 states, said E2, a group of business leaders that promotes sound environmental policy.

“Despite the strong quarter, future clean-energy job growth is anything but assured, especially given the political changes that came with the Nov. 4 election,” E2 said. “It will be up to the new Republican-led Congress to decide whether to continue the job-creating, clean-energy policies that have been crucial to driving clean-energy development and employment.”

Another reason for caution is the rush by utilities seeking maximum return on investment to install solar projects before the tax credit expires, E2 said.

daler@durangoherald.com