Policy & Legislation
Here are some examples of good green-collar jobs policies that have been passed or proposed at the federal, state, and local level around the country. If you know of something that should be listed here, please contact us.
President Obama Announces Opposition to Prop 23
As reported by the Los Angeles Times: "The president is opposed to Prop. 23 -- a veiled attempt by corporate polluters to block progress towards a clean energy economy," White House spokesman Adam Abrams announced Wednesday. "If passed, the initiative would stifle innovation, investment in R&D and cost jobs for the state of California."
Summary of Green Jobs - Green New York Act of 2009
The Green Jobs/Green Homes NY program is a statewide initiative to make one million homes energy-efficient in five years, while creating over 14,000 jobs. The program’s goal is to significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, save families money on their energy bills, and produce tens of thousands of quality green jobs.
Nearly 200 organizations urge Senate to adopt energy-efficiency provision in climate legislation
Green For All is part of a coalition of nearly 200 organizations that is pressing the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to adopt a key amendment to the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. The amendment would create 1 million clean-energy jobs, by requiring utilities to invest in energy-efficiency renovations for millions of buildings nationwide. Today the coalition released a press statement. Read it here.
Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act: Summary of Selected Major Provisions
On September 30th, Senators John Kerry (MA) and Barbara Boxer (CA) introduced the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. Following the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) by the House of Representatives in June, this is an important next step in crafting strong climate and energy legislation that can kick-start our struggling economy, creating clean energy jobs and putting American industries at the global forefront of the burgeoning clean energy sector. This is a summary of some of the major provisions in the Kerry-Boxer discussion draft.
Summary of Minnesota Green Jobs Act (2007)
Minnesota has long been a forerunner on environmental issues. In 2007, the state passed the Demand Efficiency Act, which provided strong targets for energy efficiency. Representative Kalin and Senator Ellen Anderson met with public and private stakeholders to create a strategy for developing green jobs. The result of this collaboration was the Minnesota Green Jobs Act, which sought to advance green economic development while also creating living wage jobs. The was signed into law on May 23, 2008, and includes five policy mechanisms to assist the statewide emerging green economy: The Act: (A) adds green economic development to the criteria for economic development assistance; (B) creates a Green Jobs Task Force; (C) creates an Energy Improvement Loan Program; (D) establishes a Microenergy Loan Program; and (E) mandates the completion of the “Green Economy Report.”
Washington Senate Bill 5649
Increasingly, states are taking it upon themselves to make America more energy efficient. On May 7, 2009, Washington became the latest state to step up as a leader on this front by passing SB 5649 (“the Act”). The Act puts Washington on the path to weatherize, and otherwise make more energy efficient, 100,000 buildings over the next five years. This will reduce energy costs, create thousands of quality new jobs, and obviate any potential need for new electricity-generating facilities. The Act also guarantees access to these jobs for veterans, members of the National Guard, and low-income and disadvantaged populations.
Historic green jobs bill signed in Washington State
A lot is going on in Washington, D.C. these days, as Congress works to pass a comprehensive energy and climate bill. But if you've focused too much on Washington, D.C. lately, you may have missed the important strides made by the other Washington. Just this month, Governor Chris Gregoire of Washington State signed a landmark green jobs bill into law (Senate Bill 5649).
State Spotlight: New York lawyers advocate for Green Jobs
On April 22, 2009, my team and, I called Lawyers For Green Jobs, publicly released a green jobs training & education legislative proposal for the State of New York. For the past twelve months, we worked pro bono to develop legislation providing a comprehensive statewide framework to prepare New York’s workforce for green jobs in the emerging green economy. Our primary goal is to urge the New York Legislature to pass an inclusive green jobs bill in New York State.
Race and Jobs Phone Forum - Tuesday, February 17th
Update: Listen to the call in streaming audio. Will the economic recovery plan make a difference for communities of color? Is Obama's agenda racial-justice-ready? This is a key opportunity to learn about what key federal legislation and the changing political landscape can do to create good jobs for those who need them most.
Massachusetts Green Jobs Act of 2008
In 2008, Governor Deval Patrick signed the Massachusetts Green Jobs Act (HB 5018, DiMassi). The Act results from the collaborative efforts of policy leaders and community advocates. It provides grant money to stimulate clean energy companies, to create green jobs and to provide job training programs to ensure all people have access to new green jobs.
The Neighborhood Stabilization Program
HUD has a $5 billion program called the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) that we can use for retrofitting and redevelopment in communities hardest hit by foreclosures. Here is some basic background info and a list of state NSP contacts.
Communicating our Vision for National Climate Policy
Green For All, in partnership with a broad range of organizations -- from the research, advocacy, faith-based, labor, and civil rights communities--is a founding member of the Climate Equity Alliance--an alliance pushing for strong climate legislation that protects and provides opportunity for low- and moderate-income communities. The Alliance has put forward principles for advancing the needs of low and moderate income workers, families, and communities within climate change policy.
Energy Conservation Corps
The GIVE Act (HR 5563) would renew for five years the Corporation for National and Community Service, best known for its AmeriCorps program (PL 101-610). An amendment to this act, introduced by Representatives Inslee and Sarbanes, would create an Energy Conservation Corps to address the nation’s energy and transportation infrastructure needs while providing work and service opportunities. During the March 6th, 2008 deliberations over the GIVE Act, the Energy Conservation Corps amendment was approved 152-261. However, on March 12th, the GIVE Act fell one vote shy of the 278 needed for passage. It is possible that the GIVE Act be again brought to the floor this year.
Washington State Climate Action and Green Jobs Bill
The Climate Action and Green Jobs bill was signed into law by Governor Christine Gregoire in March of 2008. This unprecedented bill combines for the first time a green-collar jobs training initiative and greenhouse gas reduction strategies in a single piece of legislation. This approach busts apart the tired “jobs vs. the environment” frame that has been used so effectively to defeat efforts to save the planet and build a green economy. The day after the Governor announced the legislation the headline in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer declared, “Gov. Gregoire announces bill to fight climate change, create jobs.”
The Green Jobs Act
The Green Jobs Act of 2007 authorized $125 million per year from the federal government to create an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program. The Green Jobs Act is an initial pilot program to identify needed skills, develop training programs, and train workers for jobs in a range of green industries. It targets a broad range of populations for eligibility, but has a special focus on creating “green pathways out of poverty.” Congress has not yet appropriated the $125M for the Green Jobs Act. Green For All and its partners are advocating for full funding of the Green Jobs Act.
