Green Jobs Central

Overview Of U.S. Green Job Creation By Sector

2009-11-21T05:09:00.000-08:00

The national discussion on the emerging green careers and jobs gets some perspective from this helpful overview of emerging U.S. green industries:

Examiner.com -- Bay Area Green Careers Examiner, Michal Lenchner reports:

"1. Renewable Energy -- Generation: developing and using non-fossil energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. Also includes green technological changes to non-renewable sources of energy, such as petroleum, coal, gas, and nuclear. Energy Trading: financial services of trading energy as an economic commodity and carbon trading projects.
Storage: capturing and storing energy and/or carbon emissions.

2. Energy Efficiency -- Increasing energy efficiency, capacity, reliability, and security.
Smart Grid infrastructure, construction, management and optimization. Includes the current and future electric grid, energy generation sources, distribution centers, allocation and wiring.
Service interruptions cost the American economy $100 billion each year. Per the GridWise® Alliance report, 280,000 new U.S. jobs will be created from smart grid deployment (full report: The U.S. Smart Grid jobs report - job creation by KEMA).

3. Transportation-- Increasing efficiency and/or reducing environmental impact of various modes of transportation including passenger transit, freight rail, and trucks.

4. Green Building and Construction -- Construction of new green buildings, retrofitting residential and commercial buildings, and installing other green construction technology.

5. Environmental Protection -- Environmental remediation, water conservation, climate change adaptation, and ensuring or enhancing air and water quality. Agriculture and forestry, efficient land management and farming. Also controlling GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions in these sectors. Legislation for conservation and pollution prevention, regulation enforcement, and policy analysis and advocacy.

6. Manufacturing -- Industrial manufacturing of green technology, energy efficient manufacturing processes, environmentally preferred purchasing, and waste management.

7. Recycling, Regeneration and Waste Reduction --Solid waste and wastewater management, treatment, and reduction. Processing/managing recyclable materials.

Note that the green economy will also generate indirectly jobs in research, design, and consulting services, finance, and other related business services. New and enhanced legislation in many industries will be essential and will also require knowledgeable professionals." See full article:

Study: Alternative Energy Would Create 1.9 Million New U.S. Jobs

2009-11-15T04:40:00.001-08:00

A recent study by three universities provides an estimate of many new green jobs coming from alternative energy development in the U.S.

Smart Grid News.com reports:

"A collaborative study by three universities concludes that U.S. renewable energy policies could create as many as 1.9 million new jobs around the country. In addition, the study shows that those policies would account for an increase in annual household income of more than $1,000 and that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could increase $111 billion by 2020.

While the study has a long-winded title, Clean Energy & Climate Policy for U.S. Growth and Job Creation: An Economic Assessment of the American Clean Energy & Security Act and the Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act, the news it presents is encouraging." See full article.

Senate Democrats: Climate Bill Good For Jobs

2009-11-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee reported out the climate bill over a boycott by committee republicans. Democrats remain confident the legislation will be good for job creation over the long term.

Jim Snyder from The Hill: reports:

"In a statement, Boxer, the chairwoman of the EPW panel, defended the decision to move forward with a vote without participation from committee Republicans.

'The committee and Senate rules that have been in place during Republican and Democratic majorities are there to be used when the majority feels it is in the best interest of their states and of the nation to act,' Boxer said.

'A majority of the committee believes that S. 1733, and the efforts that will be built upon it, will move us away from foreign oil imports that cost Americans one billion dollars a day, it will protect our children from pollution, create millions of clean-energy jobs, and stimulate billions of dollars of private investment.”' See full article.

New Study: 850,000 New Manufacturing Jobs From Clean Energy

2009-11-04T17:03:00.000-08:00

The maunfacturing industry will get a boost from clean energy according to a new study:

James Parks for AFL-CIO Blog reports:

"With more than 2 million U.S. manufacturing jobs lost since the beginning of this recession in December 2007, a new report says developing a clean energy economy in the United States could create some 850,000 new manufacturing jobs.

The report, “Building the Clean Energy Assembly Line: How Renewable Energy Can Revitalize U.S. Manufacturing and the American Middle Class,” by the Blue Green Alliance, recommends major policy changes to build markets for clean energy and provide the financing and capacity building to create clean energy jobs. See full article.

Durham NC Getting 500 New Green Manufacturing Jobs

2009-10-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

New developments in light-emitting diode (LED) technology are creating new business and employment opportunities. North Carolina as one example.

Frank Vinluan of the Traingle Business Journal reports:

"Cree Inc. plans to hire more than 500 workers in Durham over the next three years, the maker of light-emitting diodes and LED lighting products announced Thursday afternoon.

The company currently employs about 1,500 in the Triangle. Cree (Nasdaq: CREE) cited the growing market for energy-efficient LED lighting as the reason for the new jobs. Cree plans to add 275 jobs in the remainder of 2009 to expand LED manufacturing at its Durham HQ. The company expects to hire an additional 300 workers by the end of 2012." See full article.

The Ten Fastest-Growing Green Jobs

2009-09-27T17:06:00.000-07:00

A book by Laurence Shatkin helps us understand the growing green job sectors:

Randy Woods for Hire Ground reports:

"The irony of our current economic situation, however, is that the greatest momentum in the green business field can be found in the sector that has perhaps been hardest hit by the recession: the construction industry. Through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program developed by the Green Building Council, the concept of "green building" has swept the industry with its energy-saving materials and design elements.
Today, LEED certification is being sought for most building projects, from single-family homes to skyscrapers--and a growing industry of LEED-trained engineers and designers are moving in to soak up demand.

The trend can be seen in the latest findings by occupational expert and author Laurence Shatkin. In his latest book, "200 Best Jobs for Renewing America," Shatkin analyzes six industry sectors that he says will lead a shift toward a "forward-looking economy"--education, infrastructure, health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing and green technology--and identifies sectors that have the fastest-growing and best-paying jobs in the nation.
In the green technology sector, Shatkin found that many of the new jobs can be found in the construction industry as property owners look for ways to reduce energy and operational costs. Here are the top 10 green jobs, in terms of nationwide growth, highlighted in Shatkin's book:

1. Environmental Engineers. Growth: 25.4 percent; avg. annual earnings: $72,350
2. Environmental Scientists and Specialists. Growth: 25.1 percent; avg. annual earnings: $58,380
3. Geoscientists. Growth: 21.9 percent; avg. annual earnings: $75,800
4. Industrial Engineers. Growth: 20.3 percent; avg. annual earnings: $71,430
5. Construction and Building Instructors. Growth: 18.2 percent; avg. annual earnings: $48,330
6. Construction Managers. Growth: 15.7 percent; avg. annual earnings: $76,230
7. Plumbers, Pipefitters and Steamfitters. Growth: 10.6 percent; avg. annual earnings: $44,090
8. Carpenters. Growth: 10.3 percent; avg. annual earnings: $37,660
9. First-line Supervisors/Managers of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers. Growth: 9.1 percent; avg. annual earnings: $55,950
10. Electricians. Growth: 7.4 percent; avg. annual earnings: $44,780"

See full article.

A New Fund For Green Jobs In Low Income Communities

2009-09-26T06:25:00.000-07:00

A new multi-billion dollar investment fund will help create green jobs and advance eco-friendly projects:

The New York Times and Green Inc reports via Dealbook:

"The Energy Efficiency Opportunity Fund, which is expected to announce its launch today at the Clinton Global Initiative conference in New York, is a social investment fund that will finance projects like retrofitting buildings to achieve greater energy efficiency.

It also plans to invest in low-income areas, creating “green collar” jobs in the process.
The fund is sponsored by Living Cities, a consortium of foundations and financial institutions that invests capital to strengthen low-income communities, and Green for All, an advocacy group founded by Van Jones, formerly the White House’s environmental jobs “czar,” that advocates for equality and opportunity in the new green economy." See full article.

Green Jobs: Learning Sustainable Landscaping In Providence

2009-09-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

Unemployed and under-employed workers in Providence Rhode Island will get eight weeks of training on sustainable landscaping as part of new city program.

Alex Kuffner atProjo.com reports:

"The eight-week program created by Groundwork Providence and the Providence Housing Authority will train 30 unemployed or underemployed workers in sustainanable landscaping free of charge. The trainees will be able to take math and English classes in addition to courses in workplace safety and hazardous materials handling. "Groundwork is committed to providing low-income residents with the resources and skills they need to make a difference in their own communities," said Joe Vaughan, director of Groundwork Providence, a nonprofit environmental group." See full article:

Governor and Energy Secretary Hear About Significant Green Job Growth In Delaware

2009-09-19T06:19:00.000-07:00

To learn more about the reality of green job growth nationwide and in the State of Delaware, the U.S. Energy Secretary participated in a town meeting with Delaware's governor.

The Susssex Countian reports:

"Delaware companies talked face-to-face with U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and other White House officials Thursday at a town meeting co-hosted by Gov. Jack Markell.

Executives from White Optics, Delawind, Solarport, Flexara and W.L. Gore explained how their companies have succeeded at putting Delaware on the leading edge of the Green Economy. Success of companies like these is critical to getting our economy going again and protecting the environment from global warming and other harmful impacts of climate change.
“We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen our local and national economy,” Markell said. “We’re making solid progress in Delaware and I believe we’re well on our way to emerging as a leading example of a green economy.” See full article.

Green Jobs May Help California Out Of The Recession

2009-09-19T06:01:00.000-07:00

The discussion about how much emphasis the U.S. should put on green job development and the role of government stimulus funds in that continues. Part of how California looks towrd its future is being discussed -- whether it will be able to compete in world markets and the quality of the jobs being created.

Lyanne Melendez and ABC San Franciso reports:

"Devon Swezey is with The Breakthrough Institute, an Oakland-based think tank group on energy and climate issues. "The Chinese government is offering substantial support in terms of credit guarantees, loan guarantees, low cost financing to directly grow their solar manufacturing industry. The chinese government is engaged in the productive policy of support for this industry in the way the US is not or has never been," said Swezey.

According to the Governor's Office, since 2005 so-called green jobs have grown 10 times faster than the total job growth in California. But critics says that comes at a price because the green industry is heavily subsidized and many believe when tax payer money supports some jobs, other jobs in businesses paying those higher taxes are likely to be lost." See full article.

New York Lawmakers Approve Green Job Creation Bill

2009-09-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

The New York Senate passed a bill to create jobs by making a million homes more energy efficient. The legislation is now headed for the governor's signature.

BizJournals.com reports:

"The “green jobs” program, ... passed by a 52-8 vote. Its goal is to make 1 million small businesses, nonprofits and residential homes more energy-efficient over the next five years. Legislators say “thousands” of jobs would be created to perform the energy retrofitting work; the bill creates a training program for potential workers. The bill unanimously passed the Assembly earlier this year. The bill now goes to Paterson for his signature. See full article.

Iowa's Governor Creates New Green Jobs Task Force

2009-09-13T06:54:00.000-07:00

Governor Chet Culver has come out strongly in support of green jobs for Iowa.

MidwestAgnet.com reports:

"The fifteen member task force is to help focus state government's efforts in creating high-paying, green-collar jobs, as well as coordinate the state's efforts to secure federal green initiative grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Roya Stanley, Executive Director of the Iowa Office of Energy Independence, will serve as chair, and Lis Buck, Director of Iowa Workforce Development, will serve as Vice Chair. Executive Order 16 charges the task force with creating jobs and training workers in the renewable energy industry. They are to prepare a report and present it to the Governor by October 1st on their activities, and provide recommendations on ways we can expand the number of green-collar jobs in Iowa." See full article.

Detroit: Ford Plant Will Reopen With 4,000 Green Jobs

2009-09-10T17:14:00.000-07:00

Ford's Wixom assembly plant near Detroit was shut down but will reopen as a green energy manufacturing center.

WWJ.com reports:

"Ford has reached an agreement in principle to sell Wixom Assembly to Xtreme Power of Austin, Texas, and Clairvoyant Energy of Santa Barbara, Calif. Xtreme Power will manufacture its large-scale energy storage systems at the site, while Clarivoyant will build high-efficiency solar panels there with partner Oerlikon Solar.

Initially, Clairvoyant will create 270 new jobs and make a $250 million investment in the plant. It may hire 700 more later depending on demand. The more labor intensive Xtreme will create 2,500 new jobs and make a $450 million investment. Eventually, state officials say, the plant will house upwards of 4,000 green energy jobs -- nearly as many as it had at its peak as an auto assembly plant." See full article.

Wind Power Market Growing Faster Than Other Sources

2009-09-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

Estimates are that wind power will grow at 19.75% this year and is expected to reach 425 GW by 2015.

Trading Markets.com reports:

"Wind is the world's fastest-growing source of power generation with an average annual growth of 29% over the last ten years. At the beginning of 2009, the global wind power generating capacity stood at almost 121 gigawatts (GW), representing a twelve-fold increase from a decade ago when world wind power generation capacity was just over 10.2GW. Being an emerging fuel source a decade ago, wind energy has grown rapidly into a mature and booming global industry, primarily due to global concerns over climate change, energy security and declining costs of wind power generation. The future prospects of the global wind industry are very encouraging and it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 19.75% between 2008 and 2015 to reach 425GW by 2015." See full article.

Will Cap And Trade Push Lead To Lasting Alliance Between Workers and Environmentalists?

2009-08-29T05:59:00.000-07:00

The Blue-Green Aliance shows hope that working toward a new alternative energy economy will create a lasting alignment between environmental stewardship and economic prosperity.

Ben Gemen of Climate Wire and the New York Times reports:

"Both of these movements have realized they really need each other to get what they want," said J. Timmons Roberts, a Brown University sociologist who has written on labor-environmental coalitions. The Sierra Club and the United Steelworkers, after years of work together, formally launched the alliance in 2006. The effort expanded in 2008 and 2009, adding the Natural Resources Defense Council and several unions -- the Service Employees International Union, Communications Workers of America, Utility Workers Union of America, Laborers' International Union of North America, and the American Federation of Teachers.

The alliance has focused largely on supporting legislation that would impose national curbs on greenhouse gas emissions and boost deployment of low-carbon energy sources that both groups say will create scores of new "green jobs." But the alliance is also pushing for workplace-organizing legislation -- labor's top priority -- as well as changes in trade policy and curbs on industrial toxics." See full article.

Alternative Energy Companies Look To Buy Closed Michigan Ford Plant

2009-08-26T19:59:00.000-07:00

A closed Ford plant near Detroit may get some new life.

David Eggert at Associated Press reports:

"Two alternative energy companies planning to buy a closed Ford Motor Co. factory near Detroit want to convert it into the country's largest renewable energy park, with at least 2,800 workers building storage batteries, solar panels and possibly wind turbines.

The proposed $725 million project outlined to state lawmakers Wednesday would be a coup for a state in desperate need of jobs. Michigan, with the highest unemployment rate in the nation, hopes to become a major player in the green economy." See full article.

Survey: Corporate Sustainability Jobs Increasing

2009-08-24T20:23:00.000-07:00

GreenBiz has been busy doing a green jobs survey:

Melissa Hincha-Ownby at Mother Nature Network reports:

"More than 600 GreenBiz Intelligence Panel members participated in the most recent survey, which started in late July and closed earlier this month. The survey results show an “increasing headcount for environmental and sustainability positions along with greater spending by environmental, health and safety (EHS) departments at large corporations. These are promising findings that the emerging green economy may be outpacing indicators of a broader recovery.” Source: GreenBiz

This job growth is in stark contrast to the rising unemployment rates in the nation during the same time period. According to the Department of Labor, in July 2009, the national unemployment rate was 9.4%. As of August 15, there were 576,000 unemployment initial (UI) claims and the 4-week average for UI claims was 570,000." See full article:

Imperial Valley Gets New Green Job Training Center

2009-08-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

Local residents in Imperial City, CA will have a better opportunity to learn green jobs skills. (Photo: Center for American Progress)

KYMA.com reports:

"the New Electrical Training Center in the City of Imperial held it’s grand opening. The Center, which has been running since March, is the home base of a five year apprenticeship program that trains local residents in green jobs. Organizers say the program helps the working class in the Imperial Valley. The apprenticeship program provides workers with health care, a pension retirement contribution and lifelong journeymen skills." See full article.

Study: Biofuels Market Will Triple to $240 Billion In Ten Years

2009-08-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

A new study by Pike research sees major growth in biofuels.

Clean Energy.org reports:

"In a positive outlook for the biodiesel industry, Pike Research, a new cleantech analysis firm headquartered in Boulder, Colo., has predicted robust growth over the long-term for the global renewables market. “The study started out as an assessment of technologies in the biofuels industries, but then it grew into a more of a market analysis,” said Robert McDonald, author of the report." See full article.

Washington DC "Boomtown" Could Have 190,000 Green Jobs In Its Future

2009-08-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

Washington DC certainly has its own economic fabric. Green jobs will be a significant part of its next decade.

International business news source e yugoslavia reports:

“The federal government is our foundation, but it’s a mutually reinforcing set of factors,” said Matt Erskine, director of the Greater Washington Initiative. “Smart people are attracted to other smart people.” More than half of the area’s people over age 25 have a college degree, and more than 50 universities and specialized educational establishments are based in and around Washington. Erskine sees new environmental technologies as an area for future growth. A recent study by the US Conference of Mayors estimated that more than 190,000 “green” jobs could be created in the region in the next 30 years. See full article.

Michigan Autoworkers Go Solar

2009-08-12T18:08:00.000-07:00

Laid off autoworkers are retraining for green jobs in Michigan.

Cooler Planet.com news reports:

"thanks to Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind program, launched in 2007, 80,000 workers have so far been retrained, many of them under the Green Jobs Initiative. In fact, according to a May 2009 Green Jobs report, the state now supports 109,067 green jobs, 96,767 having a direct impact on the new green energy economy and the balance representing support jobs. This puts Michigan’s green job category at 3 percent of overall employment. A newer initiative, proposed by President Barack Obama, hopes to extend the program, and the funding, to by $12 billion to aid those unemployed who are still left behind.Many of these green jobs are in solar energy, and at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, laid-off auto workers are retraining to install and maintain photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.... GM’s failure, falling solar panel prices, the potential for Peak Oil in a decade, and a president’s commitment to renewable energy and renewable energy jobs – appears to have reached a conflux whose effect can’t yet be statistically calculated, but may the perfect driver for America’s green energy future." See full article.

Virgina Will Prosper With Clean Energy And Cap And Trade

2009-08-10T18:34:00.000-07:00

Virginia stands to prosper in the clean and renewable energy game.

See Christen Duxbury's letter the the editor to Fredericksburg.com:

[Cap and trade legislation] "would build on Virginia's substantial clean-jobs market--which consists of more than 16,000 clean jobs, 1,400 clean businesses, and has a growth rate of 6 percent (information from a 2009 study by the Pew Center for the States). Job opportunities would skyrocket if clean-energy legislation were to create a focused effort to build up sustainable business sectors such as pollution mitigation, conservation, energy efficiency, retrofitting homes, and wind, biomass, and solar power.

Virginia's potential sustainable business growth has already grabbed the attention of key business leaders. According to a 2009 Pew Charitable Trusts study, Virginia received nearly $71 million in clean-technology venture capital between 2006 and 2008." See full letter.

McKinsey Report: U.S. Energy-Saving Would Create 600,000 to 900,000 Green Jobs

2009-08-08T06:06:00.000-07:00

The global consulting firm of Mckinsey and Company , finds that elevating energy efficiency to a national priority could spur the creation of 600,000-900,000 long-term green jobs and reduce our overall U.S. energy consumption by 23 percent. This could avoid up to 1.1 gigatons of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

The New York Times Reports:

"A new report on energy efficiency from the consulting firm McKinsey found that the United States could save $1.2 trillion through 2020, by investing $520 billion in improvements like sealing leaky building ducts and replacing inefficient household appliances with new, energy-saving models." See full article.

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Downturn Doesn't Halt Central Oregon Green-Job Growth

2009-08-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

There are places across the nation where green jobs are offering terrific hope.

Kate Ramsayer at the Ashland Dailing Tidings reports:

"There's only so many windy patches of Earth — and even fewer patches close to transmission lines. So for the next five to 10 years, the wind power industry is going to be running full steam ahead, said Mike Costanti, principal with Western Community Energy. He anticipates quadrupling the size of his Bend-based company's development staff over the next couple of years, with jobs for turbine operators, lawyers, permit writers, electrical engineers, structural engineers, construction workers and more.

'We have a lot of room for growth,' Costanti said. A study recently released by the Oregon Employment Department found that Oregon had more than 51,000 "green jobs" in 2008."

See full article.

Colorado Solar Plant Generates Jobs And Energy

2009-08-05T17:38:00.000-07:00

A new solar plant in Colorado is generating power and 200 new jobs.

Amy Lou Jenkins at Examiner.com reports:

"Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar visted the High-Tech Solar Panel Plant in Longmont, CO to call attention to a reinvigorated U.S. high-tech manufacturing sector. Salazar met with employees of an innovative solar panel company that has created more than 200 ‘green jobs’ in two years and expects to double employment by next year. 'Abound Solar and hundreds of renewable energy companies sprouting up across the nation are keys to solving our energy and climate change challenges.'” See full article.

Is US Falling Behind In Green Energy Race?

2009-08-04T18:51:00.001-07:00

Two U.S. businesss leaders think we are and that we must do something about it: (Image: Green DC)

Green Stocks Central.com reports:

"[August 3rd] in the Washington Post, General Electric (GE) CEO Jeff Immelt and famed venture capitalist John Doerr wrote an op ed piece highlighting the failure of the US to take the lead in green energy and the emergence of China as the leader.
Some interesting facts:

- China cars are 35% more fuel efficient

- they spend 10x what the US does as a % of GDP on green energy

- China on track to create 150,000 jobs through the deployment of 120GW of wind power within 10 years

- US is home to only one of the top 5 wind turbine manufacturers (GE)

- US is home to just one of the top 10 solar panel producers (hmm.. I thought it was two – FSLR, SPWRA)

- US is home to just two of the top advanced battery makers.

See full article.

Middle Tennessee Looks To New LED Plant For Green Jobs

2009-08-04T17:31:00.000-07:00

Rutherford County in Middle Tennessee stands to see hundreds of new jobs due to a new business partnership.

Scott Broden from the Tennesseean reports:

"Davis Groupe in Murfreesboro, Aladdin Mantle Lamp Company in Clarksville and NCS Power Inc., based in Vancouver, Wash., plan to team to make energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lights in Middle Tennessee in the next six to 18 months.

Phase I of the arrangement will involve adding about 100 to 200 jobs in the next six to 18 months, with about half of the positions coming to Rutherford County, said Davis Groupe owner Jimmy Davis, who’s confident that automotive suppliers such as the Davis Groupe will create thousands of jobs making alternative energy products." See full article.

Laid-Off Michigan Workers Re-Train For Green Jobs

2009-08-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

America's community colleges are moving toward re-training America's workforce. One school in Dearborn Michigan is an example.

The Straits Times reports:

"In a crowded classroom at Henry Ford Community College, laid off auto workers are learning how to install and manage solar panels. The class is part of a new alternative energy technology programme the college created to help retrain the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the collapse of the auto industry.

Sean Peppers, 37, has spent nearly two decades working in auto supplier plants but has not been called for a single interview since he was laid off from his engineering job in January. He hopes the alternative energy degree will help him find work at a plant building parts for wind turbines, or solar panels, or anything that is not a car. Most of the 65 students taking the alternative energy classes are getting their tuition paid through an state programme which provides scholarships to Michigan residents who are unemployed or earning less than 40,000 dollars a year." See full article.

Long Island's Green Workforce Grows

2009-08-02T04:59:00.000-07:00

A partnership between a New York utility and BP Solar is producing new jobs.

Claude Solnik at Long Island Business News reports:

"When the Long Island Power Authority in March chose BP Solar to provide 37 megawatts of photovoltaic power at Brookhaven National Laboratory, it was good news for solar advocates. But those in the local solar industry worried the nation’s biggest ground-mounted solar installation might be built in their backyard without Long Island labor.
BP has since said it expects the project, big enough to power 4,700 homes, to provide a boost for local solar workers, generating more than 200 jobs for construction, engineering and electrical work." See full article.

The Main Reasons Green Jobs Are For Real

2009-08-01T04:49:00.001-07:00

It is good to see the reasons green jobs are for real pulled together in one place.

Carol McClelland, PhD at Article Maniac reports:

"Is the green economy the next big bubble? Or in other words...Is it worth training for jobs in the green economy or will they vanish by the time we are ready to go to work? My take on this question: Although I am not an economist, politician, or psychic, I have been tracking developments in the green economy for over two years. I continue to see signs of momentum in a variety of arenas." See list of reasons.

Also see McClelland's website: Green Career Central

New Jersey Energy Audit Program Produces New Green Jobs

2009-08-01T04:26:00.000-07:00

A New Jersey Utility is creating new jobs by cutting waste and helping people with energy audits.

Beth Fitzgerald at NJBiz.com reports:

"Al Matos, vice president of renewables and energy solutions for Public Service Electric & Gas, said the company has hired 13 energy auditors, and should have 200 or more on board in three years. The training and deployment of energy auditors is funded through state and federal programs, and overseen by the state Department of Labor’s Green Job Training Partnership Program. The state’s utilities industry could eventually provide 1,000 or more of these entry-level green jobs, Matos said. “I think this is going to be very big,” Matos said. “Between the federal and state support, we are going to have more and more of these green jobs to do home and business energy audits, and to install solar panels.” See full article.

Green Jobs That Will "Stay In Las Vegas"

2009-07-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

Jaime Cruz helped Las Vegas make its city center more energy efficient. Now he is working on bringing green jobs to America's gambling capital.

Timothy Pratt at the Las Vegas Sun interviewed him:

"Why does Southern Nevada need green jobs? The current economic climate has accentuated the point that, for a long time, we’ve had all our eggs in one basket, with jobs in the service economy and construction. What we’ve seen is that we have to diversify, and green jobs are one way.

What are the challenges? In the long term, we need policies to change the way this community looks at solar energy, more cooperation with the federal government over land use and, with the private sector, ways to make solar energy more affordable. But in the meantime we have to attack what we have control over. For example, if we can find ways to make large buildings more energy efficient, that will create more jobs." See full article.

Clean Energy Sparks 77% Rise in Profits for Florida Utility

2009-07-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

One major major utility is showing huge profits through its alternative energy arm.

Julie Patel of the Sun Sentinal reports:

"FPL Group reports ... that its net profit shot up 77 percent in the second quarter to $370 million from $209 million the year before. That’s largely because the net profit of NextEra Energy Resources, FPL Group’s unregulated alternative energy arm, skyrocketed to $186 million last quarter from $3 million the year before. Some of NextEra's hedging on energy contracts paid

"While the Florida economy is quite challenging, we are delivering exceptional value to FPL customers in the form of reliable, clean energy at low rates,” FPL Group Chairman Lew Hay said in a statement. Executives from FPL Group, the largest U.S. wind and solar power generator, said during an earnings call this morning that they expect to benefit from government policies supporting investments in energy projects, including renewable energy." See full article.

Indiana Experts See Clean Energy Economy Coming

2009-07-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

A group of energy and economic experts see green energy as a large part of Indiana's future.

The Bloomington Alternative reports:

"The panel was convened by Environment America and the Richard Lugar Center for Renewable Energy in response to the recent U.S. Global Change Research Program report showing that Indiana is already experiencing more extreme storms, drought and flooding due to global warming. According to a survey of green businesses by the Pew Charitable Trusts, job growth in the emerging clean energy economy in our country has been more than twice as fast as in the economy as a whole -- 9.1 percent growth in green businesses, compared with 3.8 percent in all businesses combined.

Economists at the University of Massachusetts calculated that a $100 billion investment in building a clean energy economy could create as many as 2 million new, well-paying jobs in the United States in just two years, with 38,000 jobs here in Indiana. The panel of experts agreed that transitioning to a clean energy economy would benefit the state of Indiana." See full article.

Washington State Wind Farm Expands and Creates New Jobs

2009-07-23T19:55:00.000-07:00

A wind farm expansion creates jobs and helps lower carbon emissions.

KNDO.com reports:

"As the wind whips at the Wild Horse Wind Farm, power is being generated and jobs produced. "The county road fund, the county general fund will also see some new tax money based upon this projects value," said Brian Lenz, government and community relations manager, Puget Sound Energy. Wild Horse currently contributes around 1.5 million tax dollars to local schools and government services. The 22 new wind turbines will whirl even more tax revenue into the local economy. Around 150 people are working on the expansion. They're constructing nacelles, which house the generator." See full article.

Governors See Green Job Creation in Climate Legislation

2009-07-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

Many states are seeing the importance of embracing the new green economy but others are less convinced citing regional differences.

Associated Press reports:

"Three Democratic governors told a Senate panel [July 21,2009] that efforts to curb global warming and spur the development of cleaner sources of energy have created jobs and new businesses in their states, a trend that could expand nationwide if Congress passes federal legislation. All three states New Jersey, Colorado, and Washington have adopted measures to achieve reductions in the gases blamed for global warming and standards requiring a certain percentage of electricity from renewable sources.

But this view was not shared by all state leaders testifying Tuesday before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, including North Dakota's Republican governor and a Democratic state legislator from Arkansas, highlighting regional differences in addressing climate change." See full article.

Navajo Lawmakers Form New Green Jobs Commission

2009-07-21T18:42:00.000-07:00

The Navajo Nation Council recognizes they need to diversify their economy and address profound joblessness. Green jobs look promising.

High Country News reports:

"The Council passed the legislation by a vote of 62 to 1. According to Enei Begaye, who spearheaded a coalition to create the legislation, it is the first tribal government initiative to create green jobs policy and structure. Undoubtedly ambitious -- combining traditional culture, web-based marketing and cutting-edge green technologies -- the plan could transform the Navajo Nation and serve as a model for other tribes.The legislation will establish a commission to implement projects in seven areas: renewable energy (large-scale and small), green manufacturing (focused on traditional crafts such as rug-weaving, combined with sophisticated marketing and PR campaigns), sustainable agriculture, weatherizing and making energy-efficient traditional and nontraditional homes, green workforce training, management training, and a small business initiative." See full article.

Green Jobs Northwest: As State Industries Make Changes, Jobs Are Expected To Follow

2009-07-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

The northwest region anticipates job growth -- some new and some redefined.

Suzanne Monson of NWJobs report:

"Green jobs are not necessarily new jobs, but often traditional jobs in industries and companies that are adapting to new markets and opportunities available in a clean energy economy,” according to the 2008 Green Economy Jobs report from the Washington State Employment Security Department. According to a Global Insight report prepared for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, some 750,000 green jobs existed nationally in 2006, and 4.2 million more are expected by 2038. “Washington has around 13,075 green jobs now, and that number could increase to over 100,000 by 2038,” the report says. “Nearly 50,000 of those jobs are forecast to occur in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue region.” See full article.

Hybrid Market Offers Hope For Auto Industry Recovery

2009-07-20T17:49:00.000-07:00

With all the bad news about auto companies these days the idea of new, more fuel-efficient models is providing a bright spot.

NewsOxy.com reports:

"The auto industry might recover faster than most analysts believe due to the growing demand for new hybrid cars. The cars are equipped with hybrid components that actually pass gas savings down to the consumer. There is a growing movement around the globe for these new vehicles that is potentially saving automakers from a total collapse. There is also a trend of auto startup companies on the rise vowing to develop hybrid cars with a lower price tag. Recently, there is a company in China that purchased a factory in Detroit. The company plans to build the parts globally but will assemble the automobiles here in America." See full article.

Investments and Jobs: Pennsylvania Will Triple Its Solar Energy Capacity

2009-07-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

Many states are investing in green jobs including Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Governor's Office reports:

"Governor Edward G. Rendell ... said Pennsylvania will triple its solar capacity with nearly $23 million in new grants and loans for companies throughout the state that are embracing the renewable energy industry. 'From a 134-acre solar park in the northeast to hot water heaters for Pittsburgh firehouses, Pennsylvania is investing in its energy future,' Governor Rendell said.' Thanks to the groundwork we've laid during the past several years, we are ready to create a brighter future for Pennsylvania's renewable energy industry while advancing our energy independence. 'Even in this economic downturn, we're creating jobs, expanding Pennsylvania's manufacturing base and producing more environmentally friendly, home-grown energy options.'" See full article.

The New Energy Innovators: Twenty Five Intriguing Clean Energy Start-Ups

2009-07-18T06:27:00.000-07:00

In the national discussion about green job creation, innovation and ingenuity are coming to the fore.

BusinessWeek and GreenBiz.com report:

"BusinessWeek teamed up with GreenBiz.com, a green business information service. We don't promise any will blossom into the next Google (GOOG) or Cisco Systems (CSCO). And because they are private, there are no public data on cash flow or profits. But innovators on the list have the brainpower, intellectual property, and ambition to play a role in the coming energy revolution. Since the focus here is strictly under-the-radar, we have excluded famous green startups such as battery maker A123 and electric-car ventures Tesla Motors and Better Place. But like those well-publicized players, all the ones on this list have lined up significant venture backing. "These are companies that, so far, have survived the gauntlet of fund-raising, R&D, and the economic downturn," explains Joel Makower, executive editor of GreenBiz.com, a unit of Greener World Media." See full article:

UK's New Low Carbon Industrial Plan -- 500,000 Green Jobs

2009-07-16T07:09:00.000-07:00

A new industrial plan developed in the UK predicts lower greenhouse gas emissions and a half million new jobs by 2020.

Kat Baker for PerssonnelToday.com reports:

"As part of the 'Low Carbon Industrial Strategy', climate and energy secretary Ed Miliband [UK] said 200,000 new green-collar jobs would be created by 2015, and a further 300,000 by 2020. The strategy sets out a series of government interventions to help create jobs by supporting industries critical to tackling climate change – including offshore wind and marine power. The government aims to cut emissions by 34% by 2020 – with employers forced to cut their 2008 carbon emissions by 13%." See full article.

Job-Strapped Michigan Moves Up In Inventive Patent Applications Including Green Tech

2009-07-15T06:53:00.000-07:00

The bad economy in Michigan has caused applications for invention patents to spike -- including green technology solutions.

Jennifer Youssef from the Detroit News reports:

Although Michigan has been hard hit in other sectors, it ranked seventh among all states in the number of patents granted in 2008, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Linda Chamberlain, executive director of the West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative, a program that assists inventors and entrepreneurs, credits the state's research universities and major industries for the high number of patents. Michigan also has fifteen "SmartZones" where technology firms, entrepreneurs and researchers cluster and collaborate.

Geoff Horst and his colleagues at Algal Scientific Corp. are hard at work inventing a new source of biofuel in an East Lansing lab. Horst, the Michigan-based company's chief science officer and a doctoral candidate in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University, is testing combinations of algae species that suck up nutrients from wastewater and are then converted into biofuel. " See full article.

White House: Health and Green Jobs On Track.

2009-07-13T18:27:00.000-07:00

A new White House report looks at jobs through 2016 and finds that the health and green job sectors are growing even with concerns over the stimulus package.

Ascociated Press reports:

"President Barack Obama's Council of Economic Advisers said jobs ranging from technical record keeping to nursing and physical therapy will grow in the health fields and that greater spending on renewable energy and on a more efficient electrical power grid will spike employment in those sectors as well. The White House, seeking to calm domestic frustration, has insisted its plan would eventually boost millions of jobs. The CEA report stood by a prediction that the stimulus spending would save or create 3.5 million jobs by the end of 2010." See full article.

Green Energy Job Creation: Return On Investment Facts

2009-07-10T17:56:00.000-07:00

In a detailed assessment of how many actual jobs are created for every $1 million invested in the energy sector Alt Energy Stocks has reviewed the data. Bottom line -- green energy 16.7 new jobs to fossil fuel 5.3 jobs. That is three times better return on investment,

Tom Konrad for AltEnergyStocks.com reports:

"The best national report I read was Green Prosperity, which was sponsored by Green for All and NRDC, and written by the economists Robert Pollin, Jeanette Wicks-Lim, and Heidi Garrett-Peltier at the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (PERI). This report used data from the US Commerce Department Input-Output tables and IMPLAN to look at the potential for job creation from each $1M of spending in various industries, some of which is presented below in table 3 from the report:"

The cost of creating jobs per $1million in spending:

Weatherization --17.1 Transit/Rail --20.8 Smart Grid --13.3 Wind --13.8 Solar --14.1 Biomass ---15.5

Av.------------------16.7

____________________
Fossil Fuel ---------- 5.3

See full article.

Employment Impact of Proposed Sahara Solar Project: 240,000 Green Jobs

2009-07-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

The Desertec project would cover a Masachusetts-sized area of the Sahara with solar panels. New estimates are it will also generate 240,000 new green jobs in Germany.

A consortium of 20 blue chip German firms has thrown its weight behind the gigantic Desertec Sahara solar plan. A new study helps explain why: The mega project could help spawn 240,000 new green jobs in Germany and deliver up to $2 trillion in profits to companies by 2050, according to the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy. Desertec was launched in 2007 by the German association of the Club of Rome. Its architects seek to spread a supergrid of concentrating solar thermal plants (CSP) across a 6,500 square-mile stretch of North African desert to eventually power most of Europe. See full article.

UK: 400,000 New Jobs and 34% Greenhouse Gas Reduction by 2020

2009-07-08T16:47:00.000-07:00

As we get closer to the next world global warming summit, some nations are stepping up reductions while feeling more confident about green jobs. Photo: David Parry, UK.

The UK Telegraph reports:

"A 'green revolution' that should create 400,000 jobs is to be launched by ministers later this month in the most ambitious ever bid to transform the British economy, industry and sources of energy. Detailed plans for expanding renewable energy tenfold and cutting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses that heat up the planet - all in little more than a decade - will be announced. The plans will be spelt out in three documents due to be published in about ten days time. Ed Miliband, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, will unveil a White Paper that will spell out how emissions will be cut by at least 34 per cent on 1990 levels by 2020 and a 'Renewable Energy Strategy' to increase its use to 15 per cent of Britain's total energy supplies by the same date." See full article.

Green Job Referrals: Via A New Green Homes Concierge Service

2009-07-07T17:06:00.000-07:00

Green jobs in the new energy economy can come in many forms. A new UK service can help busy people have greener and more energy efficient homes by, among other things, introducing them to green contractors.

Beth Hodgson at Inventers Spot.com reports:

"Green Homes Concierge helps London homeowners reduce their carbon footprint and save money through a comprehensive evaluation of the efficiency of their home. Through a report they will identity areas that need improvement, and once approved, can make the arrangement to have contractors complete the work required to make the home more energy efficient. With a service like this, you don't have to worry about finding the time to call for quotes, wait around for contractors, and struggle to maintain balance in your life." See full article.

Northwest Indiana Is Seeing Green Jobs In Its Future

2009-07-06T17:17:00.000-07:00

Northwest Indiana is a traditional manufacturing hub. Leaders there are seeing less of a gap between regular manufacturing jobs and green jobs.

Michael Gonzalez, Post-Tribune correspondent reports:

"Going green can mean more greenbacks for Northwest Indiana, a region whose fortunes have been historically chained to traditional manufacturing. In an information fair sponsored by an ad hoc committee of residents called Concerned Citizens of Northwest Indiana, a panel of experts said there is no longer a gap between a greener region and more jobs.

[U.S. Rep. Pete] "Visclosky said steel making in the region runs 'on green jobs,' as the industry has achieved double-digit decreases in energy usage and carbon emissions and American steel is used in projects like windmill farms. While touting stimulus money for energy conservation and weatherization, he also promised he would vote against any legislation that could cost steel jobs.
Tracy Hall, a veteran electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 697, spoke of installing solar panels on Merrillville's town hall and the need to train workers for similar projects for large scale green projects coming soon to the region. See full article.

U.S. Government Maps Best Solar Regions

2009-07-05T17:47:00.001-07:00

The need for alternative energy could redefine the American landscape including how it is mapped and ultimately managed.

CNet News: GreenTech reports:

"The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, in conjunction with the Department of Energy, this week released six maps that could help determine the location of the next big push in solar energy.The BLM maps cover areas within the six U.S. states most suitable for solar energy generation and transmission as judged by the U.S. government: Arizona (PDF and below), California (PDF), Colorado (PDF), Nevada (PDF), New Mexico (PDF) and Utah (PDF).

"Only lands with excellent solar resources, suitable slope, proximity to roads and transmission lines or designated corridors, and containing at least 2,000 acres of BLM-administered public lands were considered for solar energy study areas. Sensitive lands, wilderness and other high-conservation-value lands as well as lands with conflicting uses were excluded," according to a BLM statement released with the maps." See full article.

War Veterans Trade Uniforms for Green Jobs

2009-07-05T05:42:00.000-07:00

Seventeen U.S. organizations are getting stimulus fund support for training veterans to move into renewable energy jobs.

Newsweek reports:

"Nonprofit groups like Boulder, Colo.–based Veterans Green Jobs, which last year launched"rapid training and deployment" workshops to hone vets' skills and funnel them into energy companies, deepen the talent and recruitment pool. Following suit, a Washington nonprofit called the Truman National Security Project launched a program this month to train vets to drive the message of an undeniable overlap between green energy and national security.

In some instances, veterans are acting as recruiters for their new employers. Tim Hyclak, an Air Force crew chief who did six tours in Iraq, is now a maintenance technician with Solaicx, an early-stage solar manufacturer. He heard about the company from a fellow vet and has instructed his friends to call him for jobs when they're discharged." See full article.

China Outpaces U.S. on Clean Energy

2009-07-04T06:14:00.000-07:00

A common expression of concern about the U.S. supporting treaties to abate global warming comes in the assertion that the U.S. would be taking such steps while other large nations would not be so bound.

Photo: Ariana Lindquist for The New York Times

The New York Times reports:

"As the United States takes its first steps toward mandating that power companies generate more electricity from renewable sources, China already has a similar requirement and is investing billions to remake itself into a green energy superpower.

Through a combination of carrots and sticks, Beijing is starting to change how this country generates energy. Although coal remains the biggest energy source and is almost certain to stay that way, the rise of renewable energy, especially wind power, is helping to slow China’s steep growth in emissions of global warming gases. This year China is on track to pass the United States as the world’s largest market for wind turbines — after doubling wind power capacity in each of the last four years." See full article

Smart Meter Roll Out Creates 2,600 New Jobs at British Gas

2009-07-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

Linking homes and building to the smart grid will start with basic smart metering -- a source of green jobs.

Easier.com Finance reports:

"British Gas has unveiled plans to create 2,600 skilled new jobs by 2012. The new recruits will lead the roll-out of smart meter technology across Britain - the biggest revolution in home energy use for decades.

The 2,100 new smart energy experts, who will [actually] install smart meters, will also help householders understand how smart meters give them the control to cut their energy use, reduce their carbon footprint, and save money on their fuel bills." See full article.

Former President: Green Jobs Could Comprise Greatest Economic Boon Since World War II

2009-07-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

Former President Clinton Addressed the Waterkeeper Alliance In New York City on June 26th and offered his views on the significance of the emerging green economy and green job creation. (Photo: J. Karceski)

Julie Karceski for EMagazine.com reports:

[President] "Clinton called the possible creation of a green job market a great boon to the economy, perhaps the greatest since World War II. He said the U.S. needs a new source of jobs every five to eight years, and green jobs, like building upgrading and wind turbine manufacturing, will provide Americans with work for another ten years.

Furthermore, he argued, investing $1 billion dollars in wind or solar energy creates more jobs than the using the same money to build a coal plant. He explained how making user-friendly financing methods for green home improvements would increase the number of people building greener homes." See article.

U.S. Lags Behind G8 Nations In Grabbing Hold of the New Green Economy

2009-07-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

Recent congressional debates over whether green jobs are real are occuring in the U.S. but a new economic report card shows the America is having the debate by itself while other G8 nations are moving forward -- creating jobs and pushing boldly into the new green economy.

The World Wildlife Fund and Allianz SE report:

"The G8 Climate Scorecard, released by World Wildlife Fund and global financial services company Allianz SE, comes one week before heads of state gather in Italy for the 2009 G8 summit. 'During debate on the energy and climate bill in the House of Representatives last Friday, opponents of the legislation demanded that other countries first step up to the plate,' said WWF President and CEO Carter Roberts. 'The truth is that not only has much of the rest of the world already been at the plate, they're several innings into the game and we're only now emerging from the dugout." Other nations have dramatically cut greenhouse gas pollution, set national targets, ramped up investments in energy technology and set regulatory frameworks to spark innovation in key sectors. And now other countries dominate markets in sustainable energy and technology. 'It is time for the U.S. to get into the game and make up for lost time.' Roberts said." See full article.

Dramatic Green Stock Growth on Wall Street

2009-07-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

In the discussion about green energy alternatives and job creation, the overall growth of clean energy companies is a factor to watch. The green company stocks are rising faster thanU.S. comapnies overall.

James Pethokoukis of Reuters reports:

"Three major indexes tracking green energy companies have risen sharply of late. The U.S.-only Wilderhill Clean Energy Index, comprising 51 companies, is up 72 percent since a March 9 low. Its global counterpart, the Wilderhill New Energy Global Index, which tracks 88 companies in 21 countries, is up 66 percent in the same period.

The CleanTech Index, which tracks a broader group, including industries like sustainable agriculture, is up 57 percent. By comparison, the S&P 500 is up 35 percent since hitting a 12-year low on March 9." See full article.

In 2008 Oregon Had 51,402 Green Jobs

2009-06-30T20:49:00.000-07:00

Oregon did a tally of its green jobsfor 2008

The Portland Business Journal reports:

"Three percent of the jobs in Oregon in 2008 were considered 'green jobs,' according to the new Oregon Employment Department report "The Greening of Oregon’s Workforce: Jobs, Wages, and Training." The report, based on a survey of employers, found that 51,402 green jobs accounted for Oregon’s private, state government, and local government employment. Green jobs were reported in all broad industry groups and were spread across 226 occupations." See full article.

Yesterday's Climate Deniers: Today's Green Job Skeptics

2009-06-29T17:55:00.000-07:00

A 2009 report by Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) says that the rising excitement over U.S. green jobs is misguided and overrated and will not deliver the vibrant new economy so many experts are predicting. (Scroll down through this weblog to see some of the studies and cases documenting robust green job growth.)

Conservative columnist George Will picked up this banner recently with a piece about Senator Bond's report (which draws heavily on the work of 36 year old spanish economist Gabriel Calzeda of Rey Juan Carlos University.) It basically says: a) more people will lose their jobs than will get new green jobs and b) the jobs will be low-paying. It is surely good to question all assertions and assumptions about green jobs but some feel this skepticism may have its own biases and political flavoring.

Matthew Wheeland at GreenBiz.com reports:

Are Green Jobs Skeptics the New Climate Deniers?

"It's the same line we've heard repeatedly in the last few months. Last month, I sat in on a press conference detailing the "myths" about green jobs discovered by researchers from several universities. That report, "Green Jobs Myths," had much the same worries as Bond's reports: we're in the midst of rushing headlong into a project that may end up costing us dearly.

But I've yet to see any indication that the number of new jobs that will be created to power the country by low-carbon sources is going to be fewer than the number of people currently employed in the fossil fuel business.On top of that, concerns about the pay for these jobs seems both unfounded and at least a bit misplaced. Even if these jobs do pay less than existing jobs (also not a given), considering that the country is hemorrhaging jobs of all types, is it better to have a job that pays slightly less than no job at all?And finally, it comes down to the fact that we don't have a choice but to make this switch happen and we will adjust with the consequences. Even if green jobs and the green economy are not a panacea for all our problems, the climate crisis is not going away..." See full article.

There is a Parallel Between Growth of the U.S. Information Economy and Projections for the Green Economy

2009-06-28T05:55:00.000-07:00

Green Business expert and author Joel Makower sees many parallels between the coming green economic age and the arrival of the computer information age decades ago. The information age was about innovation, new products and services and growth. The green age offers the same kind of opportunities. Photo: GreenBiz.com

The Ocala Business Journal reports:

"If you want to get an idea of state of green business right now, Joel Makower says there's a parallel in the information economy. ... 'thousands of companies brought down the price of everything from broadband connections to increased processing speeds to increased disk storage space, to the point that this all became so cheap and ubiquitous that it's practically free,' he said.

Makower said today's business innovators need to apply that same approach to alternative energy. Makower said the green phenomenon in the business world has evolved through three eras: from simply discontinuing bad practices; to adopting more energy-efficient and waste-reducing measures; to the current stage, in which entrepreneurs are considering how green becomes a platform for new business models and growth. Green business practices and products can create value, Makower said, by increasing sales, decreasing costs, creating new products and markets, improving quality, decreasing risk and liability, and increasing ability to attract and retain talent." See full article.

See Joel's new book: Strategies for the Green Economy

House of Representatives Passes Landmark Climate Legislation

2009-06-26T17:11:00.000-07:00

The House has passed legislation to limit carbon emissions and put us on a path for a greener economy and green jobs.

The New York Times reports:

"The vote was 219 to 212.

The vote was the first time either house of Congress had approved a bill intended to curb the heat-trapping gases scientists have linked to climate change, and its provisions could lead to sweeping changes in many sectors of the American economy, including electric power generation, agriculture, manufacturing and construction. The House vote also establishes a marker for the United States when international negotiations on a new global climate change treaty begin later this year." See full article.

Top Labor Union Supports Climate Legislation

2009-06-26T08:28:00.000-07:00

The largest U.S. labor union is now supporting the federal climate legislation.

Huffington Post reports:

"The AFL-CIO sent a letter to the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill on urging passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, otherwise known as Waxman-Markey. It is, an aide says, perhaps the first time the union has come out in favor of a bill whose primary purpose focuses on climate improvement. And with the outcome of the legislation still in doubt -- even as the hour of the vote approaches -- the hope is that it can provide a modicum of coverage for lawmakers on the fence." See full article.

Austin Chamber Has New Green Jobs Plan

2009-06-25T19:32:00.000-07:00

The Chamber of Commerce of City of Austin Texas has developed a green jobs plan.

The Austin Business Journal reports:

"The report is the first from the Chamber's Green Job Task Force, which launched in January 2009 to coordinate a community-wide approach to green job education and training. The task force's goal is to help facilitate the training and retraining of up to 25,000 workers in Central Texas for green jobs, namely those in the energy efficiency or renewable energy arenas. If those 25,000 jobs do materialize, they alone would likely account for an annual payroll of $1.5 billion, according to projections." See full article:

Green Jobs Potential Builds Support for House Climate Bill

2009-06-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

Growing awarenss of the potential for green job creation and economic recovery is causing on-the-fence democrats (and maybe some republicans) to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

Joe Hebert and Dina Cappiello at Associated Press report:

"Most Republicans are expected to oppose the bill, which would for the first time limit nationwide emissions of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels. That has prompted an intense effort by Pelosi and the bill's leading sponsors to draw in reluctant Democrats with a string of concessions - mostly aimed at defusing GOP claims that the legislation amounts to a massive energy tax on average Americans and will kill U.S. jobs.

'Both of those bubbles have been bursted,' Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pa., told reporters Wednesday, because lawmakers are becoming convinced the bill will create "green" energy jobs and mitigate the economic impact for energy-intensive industries such as those in his state. 'We have been taking people out of the 'no' column, into the 'undecided' column into the 'yes' column,' said Doyle. 'The momentum is coming to 'yes.'" See full article Washington Post.

Wind Energy Key to Oklahoma Economy

2009-06-23T17:35:00.000-07:00

A state known for its history as an oil producer looks toward alternative energy as its future. (Photo from: marvin908's Flickr account)

Murray Evans of Associated Press reports:

"Oklahoma has vast potential for the development of the renewable resource and it could be a boon to the state's economy [according to] speakers at a wind energy conference..... speakers included the state's commerce, energy and environmental secretaries and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, who noted Oklahoma's longtime status as an energy leader.

'We believe that Oklahoma is perfectly located for us to develop this industry in our state,' Askins said. 'Energy and agriculture have been mainstays of our economy for decades. Wind energy is an opportunity to continue developing the energy industry and continue it moving forward into the 21st century.'

Oklahoma is 12th among the states in wind energy generation, but state officials said it could climb into the top two in the next couple of decades if it continued to develop its resources. By 2030, it could provide 10 percent of the nation's electricity." See full article.

Green Sectors Eclipse Polluting Industries in Job Creation

2009-06-22T18:03:00.000-07:00

The perception that green jobs are a rarity or that they are not a solid growth industry has another serious challenge. This time it comes from Europe.

New Europe reports:

Even during a difficult economic crisis like the one we are experiencing now, there are winning sectors – those that create employment. A recent WWF study clearly points at those winners estimating that, with over three million jobs across Europe, green economic activities have already overtaken polluting industries in terms of employment. At least 3.4 million European jobs are directly related to the “green economy”. This compares with 2.8 million jobs in polluting industries, such as mining, electricity, gas, cement, and iron and steel.Close to 400,000 people are employed in renewable energy activities, some 2.1 million in efficient transport, and over 900,000 in energy efficiency goods and services.

These jobs include, for example, manufacturing, installation and maintenance of wind turbines and solar panels, and construction works to improve efficiency in existing buildings. Related indirect jobs are estimated at approximately another five million. See full article.

Green Jobs On The Map

2009-06-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

As part of its recent study, the Center for American Progress has developed a state-by-state map showing where green jobs can be expected in the U.S.

It is an interactive map you can access by clicking here.

Report: Fighting Poverty Through Green Prosperity

2009-06-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

Two leading public interest organizations have released information saying that people living below the poverty line have seven times higher chance of a having good green job than than securing a comparative position in the fossil fuel industry. The report is called:

Green Prosperity: How Clean-Energy Policies Can Fight Poverty and Raise Living Standards in the United States

NRDC and Green For All state:

"[The report was] prepared by the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. An investment of $150 billion a year in clean energy -- roughly 1 percent of national GDP -- would result in 1.7 million new jobs, with about 870,000 of them accessible to workers with a high school degree or less. About 614,000 of the new jobs available to workers with a high school degree or less will offer decent opportunities for promotion and rising wages over time, helping lift low-income workers out of poverty. The potential for clean-energy job creation within this category is seven times larger than the number of jobs that could be created by spending the same amount of money within the fossil fuel industry." See article.

Download report.

Job Growth Report Supports Passage of American Clean Energy and Security Act

2009-06-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

A new report makes a compelling jobs and economy case for passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The Center for American Progress lays out how the right the combination of limiting green house gas emissions, lowering the cost of supplying energy and improving overall energy efficiency will result in 1.7 million jobs and lower the national unemployment rate by a full percentage point. The report also looks at how many jobs will result from clean energy as compared to reliance on fossil fuel burning. Photo: AP/Alan Diaz

The Center for American Progress reports:

"Our analysis in this paper shows that these two measures operating together can generate roughly $150 billion per year in new clean-energy investments in the United States over the next decade. This estimated $150 billion in new spending annually includes government funding but is notably dominated by private-sector investments. We estimate this sustained expansion in clean-energy investments triggered by the economic stimulus program and the forthcoming American Clean Energy and Security Act can generate a net increase of about 1.7 million jobs. This expansion in job opportunities can continue as long as the economy maintains a commitment to clean-energy investments in the $150 billion per year range. If clean-energy investments expand still faster, overall job creation will increase correspondingly. See full article.

Download Full Report.

Electric Car Maker Opening Seven Sales and Service Centers in 2009

2009-06-18T18:20:00.000-07:00

While some car companies are scaling back on dealerships, Tesla has announced that it will open seven new sales and service centers in the summer of 2009.

Physorg.com reports:

"The electric carmaker said it will open seven regional sales and service centers in upcoming weeks, establishing a coast-to-coast network in North America and retail presence in Europe. Stores in New York, Seattle and Chicago will open in late June, followed by Miami. The new additions will complement Tesla's flagship stores in Menlo Park, Calif., and Los Angeles, which opened a year ago. The company's first European store will open in London later this month, followed by Munich and Monaco. Prospective customers can test-drive the cars at all the locations." See full article.

Interviews with Green Job Holders

2009-06-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

What are people who have green jobs saying about them?

Mother Nature Network reports:

"The 'Look Who Has a Green Job' video series from the Natural Resources Defense Council features interviews with people that are currently working in a green job. The series helps the public understand green jobs a bit better by providing real world examples of what clean energy jobs are.

A new video series from the Natural Resources Defense Council features interviews with people currently working in the clean energy industry." See full article and interviews.

Green Bonanza Down Under for 28,000

2009-06-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

A recent prediction in an Australian Clean Energy Council model says that the land down under is in for major green job growth.

AAP General News Wire reports:

More than 28,000 Australians will be working in renewable energy by 2020 if a predicted green bonanza becomes a reality, the Clean Energy Council says.

Modelling released on Tuesday showed a new renewable energy workforce would be needed to meet demand, said the council's chief executive, Matthew Warren.
The council hopes the modelling will back up the need for a renewable energy target of 20 per cent of energy coming from green sources by 2020. See full article.

Despite Bankrupcty, GM Opens $25 Million Battery Lab In Michigan

2009-06-14T15:17:00.000-07:00

Electric vehicles loom large in General Motor's future as evidenced by its opening a new technology lab in Michigan.

Johnathan Martinez at Examiner.com reports:

"The failing auto giant’s highly anticipated energy research lab officially opened up shop on Monday, despite filing chapter 11 bankruptcy. The new lab, located in Warren, Michigan, is touted as the world’s most leading-edge automotive technology research center. Chevrolet's electric car, the Volt, is the reason why GM went ahead with the facility. The laboratory has turned some heads, including those of the U.S. government, who have given GM billions as they continue to restructure and layoff workers. The battery research lab’s main goal is getting the Chevy Volt, the company’s first fully electric vehicle, off assembly lines by the scheduled 2010 deadline." See full article.

New York Plan for 50,000 Clean Energy Jobs by 2015

2009-06-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

New York has an agressive five-year plan for creating clean energy jobs in the State. Photo: NYLCV.org

Washington Energy Services reports:

"Reuters reported that New York governor David Paterson has unveiled a plan that would aim to create 50,000 jobs by developing more clean energy resources by 2015 while promoting emerging technologies such as advanced batteries. "Whoever learns to store energy in this country first will replenish their economy for years to come," Governor Paterson was quoted as saying by the wire service, which said that Paterson's plan would have New York meet 45 percent of its energy needs with renewable resources." See full article.

Could The U.S. Lose Out in World Competition for Clean Energy Economy?

2009-06-13T08:46:00.000-07:00

With Congress considering legislation to have 20% of our energy come from alternative sources by 2020 and to lower green house gases by 83% (from 2005 levels) by 2050, the prospects for our capturing a world share of the clean energy market are improving. But the competition is stiff and many feel the U.S. is lagging behind in readying for the coming green economy. (Photo: China Daily)

U.S. Representive Ed Markey for theThe Boston Globe:

"Germany has emerged as the global photovoltaic market, even though Massachusetts has 30 percent better solar resources. Korea and Japan are leapfrogging America in battery and electric vehicle technology, even though we pioneered invention of these technologies. Only one-fourth of the world's top renewable-energy companies are American-owned, because we have failed to put in place a set of policies to promote alternative energy sources. China is spending $12.6 million per hour on clean-energy development and is preparing to invest $440 billion to $660 billion this year in clean energy development." See full editorial

California Study Forcasts 1.5% Annual Energy Efficiency Will Spawn 500,000 New Jobs

2009-06-13T06:10:00.000-07:00

An economic forcast model developed at U.C. Berkeley finds that clean energy can become aboomindustry in the Golden State. (Photo: American Progress.org)

Associated Press Reports:

"David Roland-Holst, a UC Berkeley economics professor and the study's author, predicted aggressive state legislation meant to curb greenhouse gas emissions would create an enormous new clean energy market and spur innovation to better harness renewable resources.

Roland-Holst said his study is the first to use a wide-ranging economic forecasting tool developed at UC Berkeley to study the potential effects of clean energy on the entire California economy.

If the state were to continue with its current energy demand and reliance on fossil fuels, the study predicted, California would have to import more fuel, exposing the economy to less stable prices. On the other hand, using clean sources for half the state's electric power while increasing efficiency by 1.5 percent each year would create 500,000 new jobs with a $100 billion payroll, the study found." See full article.

Pew Study: Much Higher Growth Rate in Green Jobs In All 50 States

2009-06-11T15:40:00.000-07:00

A new study finds, that even without major policy and public investment support, the green job sector is growing faster that the overall economy.

In The Clean Energy Economy Pew reports:

"Between 1998 and 2007, its jobs grew at a faster rate than overall jobs. Like all other sectors, the clean energy economy has been hit by the recession, but investments in clean technology have fared far better in the past year than venture capital overall.

By 2007, more than 68,200 businesses across all 50 states and the District of Columbia accounted for about 770,000 jobs that achieve the double bottom line of economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Pew’s research shows that between 1998 and 2007, clean energy economy jobs—a mix of whiteand blue-collar positions, from scientists and engineers to electricians, machinists and teachers—grew by 9.1 percent, while total jobs grew by only 3.7 percent. And although we expect job growth in the clean energy economy to have declined in 2008, experts predict the drop in this sector will be less severe than the drop in U.S. jobs overall." See full article.

European Study: 2.8 Million Renewable Energy Jobs by 2020

2009-06-10T18:31:00.000-07:00

In a sharp contrast with the debated conclusions of Dr. Gabriel Calzada of Spain -- in his assertion that reneable energy policy will cost Europe jobs, a European Commission report tells a very different story.

Renewable Energy Magazine reports:

"The main conclusion of a European Commission's study on the impact of renewable energy policy on economic growth and employment in the European Union (Employ-RES) published last week is that reaching 2020 renewable energy targets is expected to lead to around 2.8 million jobs in the renewable energy sector and generate total value added of approximately 1.1% of GDP." See full article and access report.

Carbon Salary Survey: Climate Change Workers Feel Job Security

2009-06-08T18:58:00.000-07:00

A recent Reuters survey found that workers expect the problem of climate change to offer job security. (Photo: Building and Woodworking International)

BNET Energy reports:

"The first-ever Carbon Salary Survey, conducted by Reuters, found 68 percent of green workers polled have an increased sense of job security as governments and businesses react to the threat of climate change. In short, they expect climate change to be a problem and a priority for awhile. Of the 1,200 people polled, the survey found the average green collar worker makes $76,000 per year, with half receiving bonuses. U.S.-based workers had the highest average pay at $100,000. Salaries in the financial and legal sectors of the climate change industry were the highest at $116,000 and folks working in marketing, public relations or media had the lowest average salaries at $58,000. All-in-all it sounds pretty good.

The picture isn’t quite as positive or clear for folks looking for green manufacturing jobs. The University of California Berkeley has estimated renewable energy could create as many as 4 million new jobs." See full article.

Study: Energy Storage Market Will Grow Ten-fold in 10 Years

2009-06-07T17:32:00.000-07:00

Practical and effective ways to store utility-scale energy were thought to be a dream just a few years ago. But a set of new technologies are changing all of that according to a recent study.

North American Wind Power reports:

"While storing electricity was once thought a practical impossibility, a variety of technologies have now emerged to disprove that theory, and the global energy-storage market is poised to grow from $329 million in 2008 to $4.1 billion by 2018, according to a new report from Pike Research.

One major challenge is that, unlike renewable energy, energy storage technologies have historically received very little support in the form of government subsidies and incentives, which has slowed development. This is beginning to change, however, and utilities will be the beneficiaries of significant U.S. government and venture capital investment in advanced batteries for the transportation sector, according to the research.

Pike Research's study, "Energy Storage Technology Markets," analyzes the opportunity for several key technology categories, including advanced batteries, pumped hydro, compressed air, flow batteries and frequency regulation for utility-scale applications." See full article.

Michigan's Green Job Sector: More Recession Resistant

2009-06-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

The first empirical green jobs report for Michigan found it is a growing part of the State's economy and has grown when other sectors lost ground.

The Detroit Free Press reports:

"Michigan currently has 109,067 private-sector green jobs, including 96,767 direct jobs and 12,300 support jobs. Already, green jobs make up 3% of private-sector employment.

From 2005 to 2008, a sample of 358 green-related firms added more than 2,500 jobs. They grew by 7.7% at a time when Michigan's overall private-sector employment shrank 5.4%.
Among renewable energy firms in this sample, the growth rate hit 30%. Renewable energy production, which today is Michigan's smallest green sector, may be the fastest growing.
There's more good news: The green economy appears to be a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity. Among the sample of 358 green-related firms, more than 70 appeared to be newly created since 2005, accounting for nearly 600 new jobs." See full article.

Boise's New Green Job "Incubator" is Part of Economic Recovery Plan

2009-06-05T19:45:00.000-07:00

The success of a start-up business incubator in Boise has given rise to the launch of a new green business incubator focused on alternative energy.

Idaho Business Review reports:

"Boise Mayor Dave Bieter announced the creation of a new business incubator to support local alternative energy startups during his State of the City address...

The 'Green House,' which will occupy a soon-to-be-vacant city-owned building at 5th and Idaho streets, will offer office space and support services like free legal and accounting help for start-up green businesses. The city hopes to begin the project later this year. Bieter highlighted Mark Rivers’ WaterCooler business incubator project, which he called “an enormous success,” as a model to grow new businesses.

Bieter highlighted Mark Rivers’ WaterCooler business incubator project, which he called “an enormous success,” as a model to grow new businesses during his speech at the Boise Centre on the Grove. The WaterCooler, a 10,000-square-foot facility at 1401 W. Idaho St., now houses about a half-dozen startup companies after opening in May 2008." See full article.

Architecture 2030's Plan For A 14-to-1 Return On Stimulus Dollars

2009-06-04T19:28:00.000-07:00

Ed Mazria, Founder of the organization Architecture 2030, and his colleagues have developed a plan for getting an $14 return on every $1 expended in stinulus funds.

In the publication, Architecture Week, he reports:

"We call it the "14x Stimulus" plan. In order to capture the job-creation and private-spending potential of the private building sector, this plan encourages households off the sidelines and into the renovation and home-buying market. The proposal recommends using state and local stimulus money to create a local mortgage buy-down program that offers reduced mortgage interest rates contingent upon renovating or building to meet specific energy-reduction targets." See full article.

Minnesota Looking at More Than 30,000 New Green Jobs

2009-06-04T19:16:00.000-07:00

Minnesota stands to profit from investment in energy efficiency and freedom from an oil import trade deficit.

The Duluth News Tribune reports:

"We can make our homes and businesses so efficient they use zero-net energy. Wind and solar power can meet our remaining energy needs. We can travel in American-made, plug-in, hybrid cars that can go 100 miles on one gallon of gas. Transforming our energy system would put thousands of Minnesotans to work in good green jobs. There are jobs building wind turbines and jobs installing solar panels and jobs weatherizing homes.

A recent report estimated that a national investment of $100 billion in clean energy infrastructure over a two-year period would generate more than 37,000 jobs in Minnesota. The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside $80 billion for clean energy. And the new budget sets aside more. See full article.

Center for American Progress Assessment of Green Job Creation

2009-06-03T17:45:00.000-07:00

About a year ago the Center for American Progress releasesd a report of how the green economy would foster new employment opportunities.

It reports:

"We present data on employment conditions in 12 separate states: Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. For each of the 12 states, we report the number of people who are employed in each of the occupations that will be affected by our six green economy strategies, and what the average wages are in each state for each of these job types. We then also provide data on the national employ-ment picture for each of the job categories we examine.

What is clear from this report is that millions of U.S. workers—across a wide range of familiar occupations, states, and income and skill levels—will all benefit from the project of defeating global warming and transforming the United States into a green economy." Download full report.

Utilities Can Save Energy and Create Jobs

2009-06-02T20:17:00.000-07:00

A 2007 assessment of return on investment by gas and electric untilties indicates nearly 300,000 new jobs per year can be generated through energy efficiency.

World Watch Institute reports:

"The U.S. National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency (NAPEE), is a national commitment to energy efficiency by more than 50 leading U.S. gas and electric utilities, utility regulators, and partner organizations. NAPEE estimates that if utilities were to invest roughly $7 billion a year in energy efficiency, this would -- yield annual savings to consumers of some $22 billion by 2017. These investment levels would result in the creation of about 298,000 jobs annually." See full article.

New Wind Farm Creates 300 Steady Jobs and Powers 250,000 Homes

2009-06-01T18:26:00.000-07:00

A new on-land wind farm in Scotland created 300 new permanent jobs.

eGovMonitor.com reports:

"During its initial construction, the windfarm employed more than 500 people and ploughed £300 million investment directly into the Scottish economy. The benefits of this investment go beyond South Lanarkshire and beyond our real economy. It is an investment in Scotland's potential and ambition to lead the clean, green energy revolution. See full article.

Florida's Renewable Energy Plan Would Bring 37,000 New Jobs

2009-05-31T18:46:00.000-07:00

That is the estimate in renewable energy employment. And, if the plan were fully implemented, the plan would generate $40 billion for the economy and 150,000 new jobs in total. Photo by David Sassoon at SolveClimate.

Sustainablog.org reports:

"The just-released report examined 28 policy measures in Republican Gov. Charlie Crist’s 2008 Climate Action Plan, including the 20 percent by 2020 renewable electricity standard. In all, it found that implementing the full Climate Action Plan could add almost 150,000 new jobs and bring almost $40 billion in increased economic activity to the Sunshine state." See full article.

The Chevy Volt and GM's Hopes for a Recovery

2009-05-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

Popular Mechanics test drove the Chevy Volt which is coming to market in November of 2010. The reivews are very positive and GM has great hopes for the vehicle as a big part of its climb out of bankruptcy and strong future employment. In this instance green technology is ground-zero in America's fight for new jobs.

Popular Mechanics reports:

"For all the radical departure from traditional automotive engineering that's going on here, driving the test mule proved remarkably unremarkable. It drove like any common car. It accelerated, steered and braked in ways that wouldn't disturb any driver who was unaware of the underlying technology. The big differences: it was all but utterly silent, devoid of even the whirring and gear-whining sounds we're accustomed to hearing from EVs. Since there's no disruption by gear-changing, it's even more liquid-smooth than the latest luxury sedans with their seven- and eight-speed automatic transmissions

Whatever future is in store for General Motors, the Volt technology holds great promise. If one of the new green startup auto companies had it, that company could march straight off to Wall Street, float an IPO and likely get more financing than GM's current market capitalization." See full article.

Miami's New $200 Million Smart Grid Program and Job Creation

2009-05-29T18:29:00.002-07:00

Miami believes that a million smart meters will make its power grid more efficient and interactive and, importantly, will create many new jobs.

Pressreleasepoint.com reports:

"Energy Smart Miami has the potential to be the most extensive and holistic smart grid implementation in the country. The backbone of Energy Smart Miami will be the deployment of more than 1 million advanced wireless “smart meters” to every home and most businesses in Miami-Dade County. These meters will give Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) customers more information and control over their electricity usage while also providing FPL with information that will enhance system efficiency and reliability. Implementation of the smart meters will be based on open network architecture, allowing other providers to develop and deploy new applications that could, for example, help consumers better manage the electricity usage of their air conditioning and appliances.

Energy Smart Miami is estimated to generate demand for 800 to 1,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly involved in the deployment, during the two-year implementation period." See full article.

Electricians' Local Pursues Green Job Training

2009-05-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

Electricians in Hawaii are pusuing gren job training to learn more about installation and repair of energy conserving technologies.

HonoluluAdvertiser.com reports:

"The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW Local 1186, and the Electrical Contractors Association of Hawaii unveiled a new training program for its union members and apprentices to provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary to install and maintain energy efficient and renewable energy technologies.

'Renewable energy is not the wave of the future, it's already here. Our members and apprentices will be going into the workplace with skills that are expected of them as we move toward a new energy economy,' said Damien Kim, IBEW Local 1186 Business Manager and Financial Secretary." See full article.

Study: $1 Billion Euro German Retrofit Project Produces/Saves 140,000 Jobs

2009-05-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

A 2007 WorldWatch Institute report assesses green job creation.

"The most ambitious building retrofitting project to date is the German Alliance for Work and the Environment’s project to retrofit German homes. Since 2001, 1 billion Euros of public subsidies stimulated 5 billion euros in investment and resulted in 200,000 apartment retrofits. An estimated $4 billion through additional tax revenues and savings in unemployment benefits and 2% of annual emissions from German buildings were reduced.293 The energy efficient measures included improving heat insulation of roofs, windows and walls, introducing advanced heating technologies and controlled air ventilation systems and using renewable energy such as photovoltaic or solar thermal systems.294

The Alliance estimated that 200,000 jobs would be created; however a recent assessment of the German Alliance for Work and the Environment showed that only 25,000 FTE (full time equivalent) additional jobs were produced. Another 116,000 were saved between 2002 and 2004 during a recession in the construction sector. Even though these numbers lower than expected, the job numbers are still fairly substantial with around 140,000 new or saved jobs.

These results along with the additional revenue and savings have prompted the German government not only to renew the project, but even increase the money allotted for the program. In 2005, Germany increased the funding of its building retrofit program to 1.5 billion euros." See full report.

Energy Retrofits Outstrip Oil and Coal in Job Creation

2009-05-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

Each dollar spent on an energy retrofit of buildings has more than twice the job creation punch of a dollar spent on oil or coal development. (Image from PBS.org)

Dollars and Sense.com reports:

"In fact, retrofitting creates more than twice as many jobs per dollar spent than oil or coal production, according to a detailed study that my colleagues and I at the Political Economy Research Institute conducted in 2008. For each $1 million spent, retrofitting creates about 19 jobs while spending on coal creates nine jobs and oil only six. Retrofitting also creates more jobs per dollar spent than personal consumption on typical items such as food, clothing, and electronics. Personal consumption does better than fossil fuels, but not as well as retrofitting, generating about 15 jobs per $1 million spent." See ful article.

Business Leaders: 2 million US Jobs from Clean Energy

2009-05-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

Business leaders meeting in Copenhagen sized up how a new carbon markey andshift to clean energy will affect the world's economy.

The Associated Press reports:

"Hoping to create a global carbon market, the organizers of a world business summit on climate change said 2 million new jobs would be created in the U.S. alone if it increased its reliance on cleaner sources of energy. The Copenhagen Climate Council study said the U.S. would gain that many jobs, if its electricity use grew by just half of 1 percent a year and a quarter of its electricity came from wind energy and other renewable sources. EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told the CEOs of major international corporations that similar investments could produce a million new jobs in European Union countries." See full article.

Vice President Announces $500 Million Green Job Training Program

2009-05-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

Vice President Joe Biden's recent visit to Denver was occasion for his explaining a green job training program of major proportions.

The Denver Post reports:

"Vice President Joe Biden promised in Denver .... to put the poorest and recently unemployed to work in the renewable energy sector, the latest stop on a cross-country tour focused on improving the middle class. Biden announced plans to dedicate $500 million from the federal stimulus to train residents of housing projects to weatherize homes and perform other green jobs. Of that, $50 million will be focused on areas hit hardest by the automobile industry." See full article.

Counts of Green Jobs and Definitions Are Improving

2009-05-25T15:59:00.001-07:00

Even with a strict definition of what is a "green job" Washington State finds it already has five times as many as it thought.

Reuters and GreenBiz.com report on the various defitnitions and ways they are counted:

"WSU actually adopted a different and narrower definition: green jobs are those held by employees who devote a substantial share of their work hours to activities that boost energy efficiency and renewable energy or prevent, reduce, or clean up pollution. This definition likely omits many other green jobs, such as those in conservation and restoration of our natural heritage, bicycling and transit, and real-estate development for compact communities. It also excludes everything in the public and nonprofit sectors such as environmental education and advocacy. (Ironically, under WSU's survey rules, none of Sightline's staff would count. Not even Van Jones would qualify.)

On the plus side, WSU's definition does allow a precise census. WSU surveyed more than 9,500 private-sector employers in Washington and found more than 47,000 green jobs -- five times more than previously estimated." See full article.

Home Energy Savings Translates to Jobs In California

2009-05-23T20:08:00.000-07:00

There are many ways that the new energy economy will create new jobs. Some will come from freeing up money tied up in energy bills.

California Green Solutions reports:

"Energy efficiency measures have enabled California households to redirect their expenditure toward other goods and services, creating about 1.5 million FTE jobs with a total payroll of over $45 billion, driven by well-documented household energy savings of $56 billion from 1972-2006." Green Solutions' projected job creation categories include: Another 1.5 million jobs in the coming years,

Agriculture 2,967
Light Industrial 41,300
Chemicals 6,526
Semiconductors 830
Vehicles 1,428
Other Industrials 5,541
Wholesale/Rtail Trade 457,475
Vehicle Sales 215
Transportation 724
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 143,114
Other Services 345,313
Public Service 481,703

See link.

Green Job Growth, the Smart Grid and Computers

2009-05-23T19:50:00.000-07:00

Green job development will be about many transformations including the evolution of a new "smart" energy grid that is run in a more interactive, two-way, manner with major new computer software and technology helping out. Some say this transition will make the smart grid bigger than the Internet. One company is getting ready. (illustration: CNet Greentech)

Green Biz reports:

"Cisco's SmartGrid solutions lay out an entire framework of smart energy tools, covering everything homes to data centers to electrical substations. The tools will allow utility companies and their customers manage power supplies and energy consumption more efficiently.

The company expects that the Smart Grid and its associated infrastructure needs will become a $20 billion market by 2015, and that the benefits of moving toward a system that allows for on-demand, instead of always-on, energy utilization can save the United States 10 to 15 percent or more of overall energy use, cut back significantly on the greenhouse gas emissions related to electricity generation, and create as many as 280,000 green jobs." See full article.

Renewable Energy as an American Heavy Industry

2009-05-23T13:59:00.000-07:00

The slow down in the U.S. automobile industry has a massive effect on the economy. But alternative energy-related manufacturing is offering some promise.

CNN Money reports:

Surrounded by farms, a family-run manufacturer is getting in on the business everyone from President Obama on down hopes will clear the air, wean the country off imported energy, and replace the fast-disappearing auto jobs: Making parts for the burgeoning renewable energy sector.

For the last two years, the Minster Machine Company has been forging the giant cast-iron hubs that keep the blades attached to the center of a wind turbine. "The wind market for us was a diversification strategy," said John Winch, who followed his father, grandfather and great-grandfather in helming the 103-year old company. Minster Machine also makes the equiptment that make the parts for the auto, medical and food industries, among others.

One study by the University of California, Berkeley estimated that green energy companies employ at least half a million people. That number could climb to 2 to 4 million over the next 15 years if the nation got 15%-20% of its power from renewable sources. See full article.

White House Task Force To Base Economic Recovery on Green Energy

2009-05-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

As America looks for answers on how to get out of the current economic recession, new environmental technologies and alternative energy will be prominent.

The Washington Post reports:

"A White House task force charged with helping to revive the economy will focus on the creation of a comprehensive U.S. energy plan that will generate millions of clean energy jobs ....., the White House said.

The board, headed by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, 'will focus on the creation of clean energy jobs and what the administration can continue to do working with the private sector to spur an environment ... where those are created,' White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters." See full article.

Green jobs In America

2009-05-23T05:07:00.000-07:00

There is a major national discussion about how the United States must shift to a new green economy to cool the planet and heat up the economy. It means less reliance on foreign oil, cleaner air and water, an improved national export-import ratio, and a profound level of change in America. Importantly, it means that America must find a way to shift its overall approach to producing and managing energy.

The new technologies being developed to accommodate that shift include solar and wind power, biofuels, a transformation of power distribution through an interactive "smart" power grid that would be the energy equivalent of the Internet.

This site includes recent information on how and where those jobs are developing and what are the opportunies being created.