Recovery Alert - Green-collar Block Grants

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We just put the finishing touches on a new Pamphlet on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. This resource will help you to ensure that EECBG funds are used to create green-collar jobs for people that need them the most by the June 25th deadline.

In this edition, you'll also find: an announcement about our new Frequently Asked Questions for the Recovery Package, an update about prevailing wage labor standards for weatherization funding, resources on green job training grants, and more.

 
1. RESOURCE: Use our new EECBG Pamphlet to ensure green jobs now!
June 25th is the deadline for cities, counties and states to submit their plans for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds ($3.2 billion nationally) to the Department of Energy. The new EECBG pamphlet includes recommendations to present to your local officials on how the funds should be spent, advice on how to influence these investments, and general information about the block grants program. Download the guide and take the recommendations to your local officials.

http://www.greenforall.org/resources/eecbg-pamphlet


2. RESOURCE: Frequently Asked Questions about the Recovery
How do I find out how much money my city or town can get from the Recovery Act for green jobs? What should I ask for? What program should I focus on? What opportunities are there for small businesses? What is the timeline for when funds will be available? Get answers to these questions and more in Green For All's new Recovery FAQ.
 
http://greenforall.org/resources/recovery-faq


3. RESOURCE: Green Job Training Resources & Call Recording
On June 4th, Green For All hosted a conference call on the topic of "Green Pathways out of Poverty". The call focused on building pathways out of poverty through green job training, partnerships, and recovery funding. This month, the U.S. Department of Labor will begin accepting grant proposals to distribute $500 million towards green job training programs. If you are involved in green workforce development and think your program might qualify for Recovery funds, we recommend you listen to the call recording and download presentations and resources.

http://www.greenforall.org/what-we-do/building-a-movement/community-of-practice/resources-for-june-4-conference-call

 
4. RESOURCE: Timeline of Recovery Programs
We've put together a timeline for 28 key Recovery Act programs related to the environment. The document also indicates which department or agency is in charge of each program.
 
http://www.greenforall.org/resources/timeline-for-green-arra-programs


5. NEWS: Applicability of prevailing wage labor standards defined for Weatherization Assistance Program
On Monday June 1st, the US Department of Labor sent a letter clarifying how prevailing wage labor standards apply to Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) funding. The letter explains the process for awarding and implementing work under WAP grants and clarifies how to apply prevailing wage standards.

Some important points from the letter (Warning: Technical language ahead!):
A) Governmental agencies are not considered contractors or subcontractors when the construction is performed by their own employees.
B) Repair crews performing the duties of laborers or mechanics and employed by a private, non-profit Community Action Agency or its contractors are covered under Davis-Bacon labor standards requirements.  They must therefore be paid at least prevailing wage when performing ARRA-assisted weatherization work.
C) Certain activities such as energy audits and inspection work are not usually viewed as construction work performed by laborers and mechanics within the meaning of the Davis-Bacon Act.  Thus, technicians conducting energy audits are not subject to Davis-Bacon requirements.

http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/recovery/AdvisoryLetterDOE.pdf


6. NEWS: $80 million in Weatherization funds distributed
This week the Department of Energy released the first $80 million of the Weatherization Assistance Program to Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi and Oregon. This means that thousands of struggling families will see lower energy and heating bills, more energy efficient homes, and real job opportunities for those who need work.

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=177 


That's all for now. If you have a story, a resource, or a question to share, just hit reply and lay it on us.