В энергетике США и Луизианы сократилось количество рабочих мест на 1% из-за автоматизации и смены политики

The number of workers in the energy sector dropped about 1% from 2024 to 2025 both nationwide and in Louisiana, with the decline driven by accelerating automation, changing policies, and shifting economics, according to a Department of Energy report. Energy sector employment in Louisiana declined from 161,131 jobs in 2024 to 160,000 jobs in 2025—down 1,131 jobs or about 0.7%–part of a broader national downturn. The annual United States Energy and Employment Report (USEER), released on Thursday, showed the sector’s workforce fell 86,000 workers or 1.0% nationwide between 2024 and 2025. Beginning in 2025, Trump administration’s policies affecting green energy hit the wind, hydroelectric and especially solar, which accounted for the majority of the job losses during the year. Although the total number of jobs dropped in 2024-2025, the agency projects that demand for workers in the energy sector will increase as electricity demand rises and data centers expand. Jobs in petroleum and natural gas decreased nationally in the year by 3% and 4%, respectively, according to the data. Energy Department officials note the job losses do not signal a drop in production but rather a structural shift toward a “smaller, higher-paid workforce.” The median salary in the energy sector reached $63,000 in 2025, significantly above the national median of $51,000. The administration’s efforts to bolster traditional baseload power led to increases of about 2,500 workers each in the coal and nuclear industries. An emerging nuclear sector in Louisiana is benefiting from this. In refinery corridors and on the rigs offshore, the use of artificial intelligence, digital twins, and remote operations is enhancing efficiency and reducing labor expenses, analysts note. These digital technologies can improve operational efficiency and eliminate dangerous, repetitive roles, ultimately reducing overall labor requirements. The Energy Department report shows that the power-generation sector as a whole lost roughly 15,000 workers nationwide from 2024 to 2025. The bright spot for job growth in the power sector was transmission, distribution, and storage. Featured Local Savings