The Economic Recovery Package

All of us are needed to do our part to "green our world". This is being mindful and conscious of our impact - personal and collectively.
For example, think of organizing to get the neighbors together to deploy renewable energy. It's cheaper for each and benefits more folks. Twenty households can get better terms and conditions, and in some areas even find companies to provide the equipment - installed by local workers of course -
Check with your IBEW local business agents for participants.

Thanks to Van Jones and the Green for All team for doing this. Now it's up to each of us to make it successful.

Too many times economically marginalized people, especially the African-American community, have been ignored, shut out or exploited when there's money for jobs. Used to be just white folks had the power to do that; now that there are wealthy folks of color, they can exploit workers just as selfishly without showing any commitment to strengthening their communities. What's gonna make this time any different? Ella Baker Center and Green For All folks have a track record in supporting the empowerment of working class and poor people of color. At the same time, I feel a concern that there will probably be people, maybe even people of color, who will try to get part of this funding in their control because they want to make a buck in a typically capitalist fashion - they'll tell themselves they're serving the community because they hire people of color, but they're mostly into making their own profit and just hiring folks at as low wages as possible, which today is pretty low since so many are hurting for work. We need sustainability as much for the economics of our depleted communities as we do for our use of natural resources and the state of the natural environment. We need business people who could exploit here to raise their consciousness and find their profit in their contributions to their community's recovery and sustainability this time. We don't need more false hopes and rip-offs. I deeply hope, as organizations and individuals are entrusted with this precious funding, that training and employment of working class and poor people of color will be structured in such a way that the community, rather than any individuals, profit. I hope our communities will hold those accountable who obtain control of this funding. We need democratic workplaces where the leaders' wages are not so different from the workers - not like the too typical "non-profits" where the leadership takes home 6-figure salaries while the workers earn $15/hour; where proceeds that exceed costs are invested back into the business and into funding the institutions that are lacking in the African-American community; where the workers earn a truly livable wage, have opportunities for professional development, and have a voice in decisions about the work. Our youth who are falling to violence need these jobs for a chance to heal their lives. Our leaders should focus on reaching them and others who need and deserve the opportunity to work a healthy job, and focus on how these green jobs can be a win-win not only for those in the jobs and the environment, but how this project can significantly strengthen and support the development of Black-owned and controlled institutions - not like the few we have that are run by middle class folks with no connection to the majority of the community, but real community-based institutions that can sustain all members of the community, not just the ones who are already better off. That's what community is, I think. Sorry for the long rant. Peace.

I could not agree with you more. It seems that this mentality of greed and blind individualism is rampant among all peoples of all colors. The mountain top of which Martin Luther King so eloquently spoke of has come to be regarded as a place where Jaguars and big houses with large swimming pools have replaced the commitment to a cause. i know what you speak of because I am there, in the non profit...I would love t see this change come about and be able to send the people I work with for Vocational training that more often than not lands them in the netherworld of hope generated no job in sight.

There are two environmentally lovely projects that could help individuals and communities that are rarely discussed.
Geothermal heating and cooling could save households up to 90% of their heating and cooling bills and has NO negative impact on the environment. How does $15/month the cool and $30/month to heat a well insulated 2000 sq ft home sound? Unfortunatley the cost of this system is high, but the technology works. It involves labor for the earth loop (backhoe work), installation of regular ductwork, and installation of the heat pump in a basement or crawlspace. If the cost could be reduced, more people could afford it. I feel the this technology needs to be subsidized for regular folk.

Secondly, from a purely environmental point of view, we need to think about potable water issues particularly in communities. The effect of regular drought in many areas of the country, the increase in population, the decline in groundwater levels and the sheer cost of water out of a city tap cannot be avoided much longer. There is a solution to all of these issues and it is Rainwater Harvesting. There is technology to harvest rainwater off of roofs, store it, filter it and use it for agricultural or home use. The cost of this system is also high for Joe Schmoe. These systems could allow home food production during drought, reduce the strain on well water, reduce demand on municipal water systems and can be used for storm water runoff problems caused by over development.

I have just read many good suggestions and as I read further, I am sure I will see more. I would like to see jurisdictions encourage earth-sheltered building as it requires little heating or cooling. I like the idea of rainwater recapture for gardening and household use that someone suggested. In fact I noticed that a neighbor down the street is doing this.

I too would like to see the poor and excons involved in Green energy jobs. I have been saying for several years that if I ever won a really big Mega-game I would create a foundation to partner with Green Technology companies to train these groups in such jobs. I don't wish to exclude those of better means, but if we don't raise up our poor and help them to participate in this effort to save our planet, then it cannot happen at all.

I think that it should become mandatory that public and private schools teach courses at every level in environmental protection and in how to improve the greening of America. Children are our future and they are the ones who will have to face the outcome of our wasteful ways. They need to be able to hit the ground running when it is their turn to take over responsibility for the direction of society. And, often times, they can influence their parents now to do their part.

I think this forum was a good idea.

Thanks

Ellen is spot on - with an addition or two. True, geothermal is no longer rocket science, it is free thermal utilities forever. I know, I just designed it into a green community outside St Louis, and it works. Water resourcing is also a solvable issue.
But further, the green job remedies must include a much greater investment in mass transit: it puts typically $6,000/yr. back in the pockets of commuters, that commuter has 5% the carbon footprint, It saves enough gasoline to keep imported oil levels at bay. However, If there was one green job that could be done to offset huge consumption problems, it would be home energy auditors with tax incentified remediation programs, where 30-50% utility savings can be created with modest upgrades costing less than $2000 per home.
Tax rebates limited to debt retirement or energy improvement would produce geometric returns for consumers and the planet.
 

This news about the stimulus bill is great. I have a couple of concerns. This bill increases demand, which is what it is supposed to do. However, what is known about the supply side? Do the organizations on the ground have the trained workers to quickly use this money? Do these organizations have the capacity to manage large amounts of federal money? Federal accountability laws are stringent. I know where I live in NC, the organization set to receive these funds will, in a very short time, increase their revenue ten-fold, and no one knows if they have the internal capacity or the trained workforce to put the money to use quickly. What can be done to assess and support them?

This concern extends to the agencies through which the money will flow. After 8 years of budget cuts, do these agencies have the capacity to manage and allocate these funds efficiently?

I'm thrilled to see our work come to fruition, now what can we do to make a green innovation system- which must include social equity/social justice- efficient, effective and nimble.

Is anyone thinking about these issues?

What will be the best route to secure some of those Green Jobs?

Myself and a few other college students at the University of South Florida in Tampa have been, for the past 8 months or so, working at a 501c3 that saves children and community through art in Sulphur Springs Tampa. Our latest project will be a beautification/edible landscape initiative called "Seeds in the Springs." We plan to spend the next few years transforming the neighborhood that we will live in.

My question pertains to funding. We are having problems securing funding because we are not as 'professionalized' as some of the other organizations like United Way or CDCs that have moved in recently due to coordinated efforts by researchers, the city and the like.

We have a couple grant write ups that include giving jobs to teens from the neighborhood and starting fruit and veggie markets. What are we missing? We will have a legitimized lot finished by the end of the this month, but is there anything else that we should do in order to prepared for the Green Jobs coming to the US?

What will be the process to obtain job training funds.

Ryan, did you get any helpful replies, if so can you forward them to me ohreallly@yahoo.com. Thx....

The recycling program could really recieve a boost if the state assistance programs were somehow tied together.Perhaps a food stamp bonus for increased community recycling profits.
Low income households are the least likely to recycle and in many instances are the most likely to burn their garbage.With the right incentives everyone could participate in going green.

If anyone needs assistance on scaling up a green building training program rapidly in order to get people qualified to perform these good paying jobs focused on improving the millions of homes that the stimulus is providing funding for please give me a call 518-309-3415, send me an email at wjp3@greencollaredu.net or take our sample lesson at www.greencollaredu.net. We have been providing high quality online education for a decade and have been part of the groups fighting for these funds for green jobs training and have the infrastructure in place to deliver training services that will help this sector perform.

The absolute best people to show us how to create green jobs and green communities are Dr. John Todd and Nancy Jack Todd, www.oceanarks.org and their team of colleagues.

From the book, "Visionaries of the 20th Century":
"..The twenty-first century will be the century of ecology and the environment. We don't have any other choice"... - John Todd.

From the book, "A Safe and Sustainable World", by Nancy Jack Todd:
"..a pioneering group founded a small non-profit research and education organization they called the New Alchemy Institute. Their aim was to explore the ways a safer and more sustainable world could be created."

For example, John Todd is the 2008 recipient of the Buck Minister Fuller Award for his report to the Lewis Foundation which describes an economic and environmental design plan for recovery and restoration in Appalachia:

"A New Shared Economy for Appalachia: An Economy Built Upon Restoration, Carbon Sequestration, Renewable Energy and Ecological Design" April 22, 2008. Read the paper at:

http://www.oceanarks.org/documents/LewisReport2sf.pdf

“Dr. Todd’s vision sets forth a new theory of ecological design weaving together a set of processes - from restoration of land to geo-sequestration of carbon, to community involvement, to long-term economic vitality - to create a blueprint for a future for Appalachia that envisions a harmonious self-sustaining community. This is one of the only true whole systems projects that is place based but widely applicable.” The Buckminster Fuller Challenge Jury: Janine Benyus, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, Hazel Henderson,
W. Daniel Hillis, Hunter Lovins, William McDonough, Vandana Shiva.

This is one of many projects John Todd has worked on; please review the website: www.oceanarks.org and call him immediately. Ecological design of our communities will inherently bring about green jobs, a green economy, green communities, and help people and the environment be truly healthy and prosperous.

Thank you for your time and consideration and the work you are doing ~ Kevin John Richardson (240) 286-7624 I need a good green job!

Just wanted to say that before everybody starts getting excited about all of this money, you had better be aware of the system that will be responsible for spending it.
First, I imagine that for every 10 million dollars spent, there will have to be a project manager and staff. 20% will be spent on useless overhead costs. Then understand that the people that will be responsible for approving the spending of this money wont really comprehend the technology that they are spending money for. Then you have to take into account all of the red tape involved in doing ANYTHING with the government. I have a "shovel ready" project that could create MANY jobs in the Detroit area. I have been trying to get funding for it thru the state for over 2 years.

Trust me, you are have a better chance of getting things done thru a bank. We all know how bad it is to deal with those organizations. I look at all of this with a very jaundiced eye. I do not think that this will go the way you all think.

Once you get involved you will discover that all of these grand proclamations such as "getting off of foreign oil"
and "creating GREEN jobs" have nothing behind them but the creation of a bunch of useless overhead.

This bill does offer the chance for change. However, just as the banks were not required to remove the people that spun them into crisis and the auto companies will not be required to eliminate the leadership instead of the union worker, I
am not sure that the people that have been voted into office to insure that these social problems do not occur understand the severity of job loss. Hence, they will not understand the importance of job creation.

So, I ask, are there any people in government that have the guts to fix this mess the right way?

Are there any people in government that will hesitate to turn to the people that sunk us into this abyss to ask for advise?
Meaning, are we going to rely on the auto companies to design fuel efficient vehicles with the engineering staffs that they have relocated to India and China and Mexico? Trust me, they have already given them 25 BILLION DOLLARS for fuel efficient vehicle design while firing the people that would actually do the work. Are we to trust the energy people to come up with solutions for the energy crisis? We have been doing that for 35 years already.

So, could somebody explain to me how this will be diffrent?

Could somebody explain to the people that opposed this bill how this money is different than the money spent on the Iraq
war that generations following us will have to foot the bill for? This bill offers something for the money spent providing it is done right. The Iraq war is money spent that future generations will be responsible for paying...and there is nothing gained for the hundreeds of BILLIONS already spent.

So, who is going to crete all of these "GREEN JOBS"? GM?
EXXON? CITIBANK?

I think we need people to work to close the loop between recycling centers and manufacturers. The demand for recyclables has decreased due to the slow-dron of the economy – but there must be 1000s of manufacturers that could use recycled material that choose virgin materials instead – probably due to lack of information or knowing any better. We need people to work to identify those industries and then work as a broker b/t recycling companies and manufacturers to make sure that there is more -not less- of a demand for recycled materials – thus using less raw materials, keeping garbage out of landfills, and saving water, energy, and all the other benefits. Ideally this could be done on local levels and can work with schools and businesses.

Consider Shovel Ready Solar Power Infrastructure Stimulus
    Asphalt and concrete do not create green jobs and the manufacture thereof contributes to global warming.

Consider Shovel Ready Solar Power Generation Stimulus
TVA, Generation Partners and Local Distributors
    TVA currently has a Generation Partners plan that will credit the Partners $0.15 for every kilowatt hour generated through the local distributor up to a maximum of 50 kw. See attached brochure. MLGW charges about $0.10 per KW. I understand the German government requires utilities to pay 3 times the retail rate for solar and wind generated electricity put back to the grid.
    The way I understand the Generation Partners plan there are two limiting factors: Maximum of 50 kw and if you generate more than 2/3 of what you consume there is no benefit. I think there is another limiting factor in that MLGW has to buy all of its electric power from TVA.
    FedEx has two hubs in the US generating 80% of their electricity consumption using solar power and one in Germany. Asked why not Memphis – the answer is that the TVA/MLGW solar offer is not financially feasible for FedEx. For the California hub, FedEx flew the materials from Japan to Sharp Memphis who assembled the solar panels which FedEx then trucked to California. For the second US hub they used BP panels.

SHOVEL READY SOLAR POWER GENERATION INFRASTRUCTURE
    The Stimulus dollars used as incentive to install solar power will create green jobs in the manufacture and installation of solar panels. And because there are currently no large companies in the business of installation, it will create lots of small businesses to meet the demand. Also residential and business solar power is generated on site so there is no transmission loss that can be 30% or more.
    By designating Stimulus dollars to underwrite aggressive solar installation plans, the dollars will be partially returned in income taxes and savings in the cost of building new nuclear and/or coal electrical generating plants.
    Aggressive could be as simple as PAYING 3 times the retail rate for solar electricity put to the grid in unlimited quantities. Throw in underwriting long term low interest loans for the installation. How shovel ready is that? The “market” will move quickly to earn the Stimulus incentive dollars.
    Consider Memphis/Shelby County:
 There are millions of square feet of warehouse roof that are perfect for solar panel installation.
 There are large residential subdivisions built in cotton fields that do not have mature trees to block the sun light.
 Sharp manufactures solar panels in Memphis
 West Tennessee now has a member on the TVA Board of Directors.
 Lots of green jobs will be created in a very short period of time with minimum training required.
 There is a multi billion dollar solar plant recently reported for I believe Jackson, TN.
 There are national organizations such as Green for All, 1Sky, Sierra Club, etc. that are poised to lobby for this type of initiative.

My neighborhood has established a solar co-op that any neighborhood can copy. Basically, they created a group of homeowners who banded together to get a group rate for solar pvc and hot water panels--a typical package that goes on each house. They made it easy for homeowners to add solar,providing free assessment of solar capabilities on each property, and also helped to get the price down by providing all the legwork necessary to take advantage of govt. incentives. Next step is to sell "solar shares" in arrays on our community buildings to those (like me) whose homes are too shaded to install our own panels.

This model is a great way for communities to get behind the green jobs initiative with technology that's "off the shelf" right now.

How does one start a start a solar co-op? The regulations both state and local require the owner of the solar panels to use the energy created, no excess. I'd love to get a co-op going in Modesto, CA. We get 285 days of sunshine, yet the local utility buys wind power from out of state!

There was a proposal for a massive solar array in the desert somewhere in the Arizona/Nevada/California corridor, which I believe was going to be in the Mojave. It was held up due to supposed concerns about disruptions of wildlife or other environmental impact. While I believe such issues are crucial, I wonder if politics or influence by conventional energy producers were factors.
I live in Las Vegas and this area would surely be the logical place for major development of alternative energy, as well as for the training facilities. Presumably, much of the work will be in the southwest. The market for individual solar units on home and business rooftops in this area will be phenomenal, if and when the economy begins to improve.

I agree with Robert Elliott about the vital role the southwest will play with increased development of solar energy. But rather then waiting for the economy to improve, we need to get our congresspersons and president to push through massive solar energy projects, similar to the hydro-electric projects from FDR's era.

I live in a small Arkansas town that has no industry, no big box stores, and almost everyone is self employed without insurance. I work at the little Critical Access Hospital in this town. There are many artisans and bed n breakfasts. What I would like to see is the whole town become an example of how we can build plants or co-ops that make and sell items from all the recycled glass, cans, and plastic. That could be our industry and it will be powered by solar and wind. I know it can be done, I'm just not a very convincing person and I don't know how to convince others.

I would support the effort of Jo Crandall in Arkansas. The fact that solar energy is a dispersed and intermittant form of energy means that using it will be much easier at a local level.

I am working on a concept that will enable local communities to produce and use electrical power using locally available renewable resources. The first step is to establish self reliant local businesses that are energy efficient. Secondly establish a viable local food system. A recycling business is a perfect fit for the concept.

Renewable fuels as well as direct solar pv and thermal are the most feasible applications. Wind power usage needs to be carefully analyzed because many sites are inappropriate.

Once a small electrical power plant is established it can co generate heat and electricity. The heat can be used locally for space and water heating. The electricity would be used locally with any excess sold to the local power company.

Now that congress has agreed on the importance of the Green Jobs Act, we need to get the message out to as many citizens as possible. Every day I encounter average citizens who have never heard of the Green Jobs Act, and most have little knowledge about green jobs. When we inform more people about our work, we will greatly increase public support and funding. The ball is now in our court to get out there and share the good news!!!

The coal communities throughout Appalachia have literally built our modern world on their own backs, the backs of their loved ones and the backs of their ancestors by way of supplying the energy necessary to sustain our way of life in America. WE OWE IT TO THEM TO BRING GREEN JOBS TO THIS REGION! We feel that the coalfields should be the poster child of the "transition" movement - ground zero - if not for ideological reasons (e.g., democracy) then for practical ones. There are too many to list right now but if we are talking about transition, then we have to begin with the coal fields if only for the fact that they will suffer the most from carbon regulatory policies. Our project also has the potential to raise the price of coal via. Google's RE<C mission (still working on the economics of this via. thesis research).

We are at present moving forward with the community wind and manufacturing phase of the project. We hope to attract investors for manufacturing component parts for wind turbines as well as creating community owned wind farms in order to create the necessary economic infrastructure in coal communities that will allow for them to absorb the economic effects of carbon regulatory policies as well as affording these policies to push for more regulation because the coal producing states will not have a viable argument - loss of jobs - against a policy that has the teeth necessary for a post carbon economy. I have spoken with many other activists across the country and this is a very real problem.Even in relation to a state adopting an RPS - Virginia - who has not adopted one because of coal lobbyist who expound their panoptic mantra of "job loss" in order to push their own interests, yet again the people of the Appalachian coalfields are used for the interests of greed and more importantly, power.

Those of you who attended the Good Jobs Green Jobs conference heard Van Jones (green for all) cry out for coal field justice through wind energy, we hear his cry and have more importantly heard the cry of West Virginian's who say that they are ready for change. They are ready for the future! They are ready for an alternative!

Thanks for you time,
The JOBS project

In Denver, we are working and seeking alliances as well as funding to launch an iniative called 40 Acres and a Muse.

The intent is to locate in Northeast Denver, 40 acres of vacnt urban lots and farm them this summer creating numerous jobs and paying sustainable wages. Each acre should generate per spin farming estimates around $60,000 in produce sales to pay those sustainable wages.

As we further delineate the plan, more info will be available at loveuprising.org.

Peace, please.

I live in the Arkansas Ozarks, where natural gas companies are daily spilling toxic substances in our creeks and rivers and violating even Arkansas's loose laws on environmental protection for construction of gathering lines. Despite the thousands of wells being drilled, Arkansas still has just a handful of state investigators, and the director of Arkansas's Department of Environmental Quality is apparently blocking investigators from imposing fines even in cases of massive fish kills. Environmental protection needs to be beefed up at all levels, but it especially needs increases at the federal level. Paying for more federal inspectors to intervene at the state level is crucial nationwide.
By the way, if you are interested in saving Arkansas from turning into an environmental wasteland, write the governor, Mike Beebe.

I have been involved in one way or another in the construction industry for a good portion of my adult life, but while moving towards 60 I realized that I needed to change.

I have further educated and further trained myself to advance my understanding and skills with analysis and installation of Solar Energy Systems, I installed my first Solar Energy System in the early 1970's for our remote home.

I am now a Independent Energy Dealer with one of the largest suppliers her in the U.S., DC Power.

I propose that we existing and prepared Solar Energy Dealers provide site analysis for government sites that are to be retrofitted, quotes for the equipment. To handle this rapid ramp up in demand for installations the Dealers would team up with existing General and Electric Contractors to provide installation quotes and services.

In this manner a rapid deployment of this critical element in energy conservation, production and lowered long term governmental energy outlays.

This approach will provide five bangs with the same buck, a jolt to the Solar Energy Industry, saves the Construction industry from pending imminent total collapse (building retrofitting also will save jobs), lowers long term Government expenditures, reduces dependence on Carbon Based Energy sources and reduces the threat of Global Heating and provides incentives for investors to move more rapidly towards Green Energy.

Our not for profit Jericho Road Inc. is in the heart of Brownsville in Brooklyn, NY. We are having meetngs with gang leaders & members in the neighborhood. They say if you want us out the gangs we need alternatives. I believe this green job training is a great alternative. How can our organization work with yours to get this started? Please email me at cajs5@aol.com.
 
Thanks, Carl

Create green career programs at community colleges to train urban youth, partnering with green companies. If companies want access to the newly trained students, they should be required to partner with community colleges to guarantee positions after program completion and to have reps in the classroom.

There are so many options to create alternative energy today. The largest obstacle that I see is trying to get the most people involved with the least amount of harm to the planet and yet is still monetarily profitable for individual people and as well as big business.Money Money Money. Has to be there. Have to have it. So we need energy that people can make money creating, installing, maintaining etc. without harming the planet further.

It is critical to get all utility companies on board and excited about participating in the inevitable future. They could be the heros of this era. The trick is making the transition without hurting the company. We would all be in serious trouble without them.They are going to have to go through a transition where they give up some of there power and profits to make it all work for everyone. The alternative is that they because too expensive for anyone to use and crumble with society being pulled down with them.

The idea I bring is not a new one. They could rent the roofs of each home owner. They would pay for and install the panels and hook each house to the grid (intertie system). The homeowner in turn would pay their same electric bill but be producing electricity. After 10 -15 years or less depending on the size and exposure factors they would then own their panels. The electric company would then pay them a little more that what they charge them. The home owner then would be in charge of maintaining repairs until the system deteriorates (30 years and by then who know how we will be creating energy. There would be many jobs. creators of panels, installers, electricians, all the convertor boxes...you get the picture.
The electric company would get huge tax credit for each install in the form of the carbon cap credits. All the money that they have to spend on alternative energy would be used as well as any money they were thinking about for nuclear power plants. I sincerely believe this is going to happen shortly my problem is getting through to my electric company to discuss this. It would be nice to do this without having to pass legislation but that may be the route we have to go. My roof is reading and waiting.

Our nation should be considering and developing multiple ideas for our "Green Nation" with solar panels both fixed and portable, wind turbines commercial and personal, home energy stations for power generation and vehicle fueling, geothermal energy plants, biomass energy applications, recycling all disposable materials and developing a life-cycle "Green Energy" energy plan integrating all current technologies with emerging technologies.

I am a firm believer that Hydrogen Fuel Cells are not only the secret to our energy future but have been widely neglected by the environmental movement thus hampering progress. The envirofriendly groups have long been ostracized by making demands which are environmentally sound yet economically unfeasible yet our current economic collapse provides the opportunity to bridge the divide by accomplishing both objectives via the hydrogen fuel cell. Objective one should be to advance the hydrogen fueling infrastructure to begin eliminating fossil fuel burning vehicles by replacement with hydrogen fuel cell zero-emission vehicles prividing clean air and economic opportunity for industry, individuals, investors and unlimited green applications. Objective two will be to replace 400 million gas guzzlers by 2020. Objective three will be to incorporate fuel cells into every aspect of our lives from battery replacement to power systems. In short, advancing alternative energy is great so please don't forget the "Freedom Fuel" advantages of hydrogen!!!

my thoughts:

1.recycling mandatory, everywhere

more jobs, less pollution

2. along with building new vehicles that don't pollute, the giant 3 should invest in building engines, trans, and exhaust systems that can be used to replace existing engines in vehicles on the road so those who cannot afford to buy a new car can simply replace the engine.

they and the auto company should receive some sort of tax benefit in return

more jobs, less pollution.

3. Women who spend their lives as stay home mothers, should have something more than SS#. Either a tax cut for the family or a tax cut specifically for herself. she has given up having a retirement for her family, which benefits the country as a whole. Divorce and widowhood change her life and always for the worse.

less stress on the health care system

4. Universal Health Care. Period

less stress, better health, less stress on the health care system

5. Regulate the banks, energy, real estate, and pharmecutical companies

they make enough money

6. Solar Panels...on all homes, tax credit for homeowners, renters, regulate the industry and give a tax benefit for companies that sell the solar panels at a fair price

more jobs, smaller energy costs

7. More wind power...regulate the industry


more jobs, smaller energy costs

8. Find other materials to use to pave streets. Less oil use.

smaller energy costs

9. Use hemp oil instead of petroleum for plastics. In fact make hemp a cash crop and use it for clothes, papers, oil, cosmetics and such.

health benefits, enviormental benefits,

10 Repair the infrastructure of the country...more jobs
Make sure that people are paid fair and have health benefits and such, especially older workers who have the most experience.
Use only legal American Citizens.

more jobs for Americans, more job security

11. Its time to bring back our troops and let them defend this country and help with OUR natural disasters.

12. Get rid of No Child Left Behind, its leaving too many children left behind. Fund education in public schools. Give kids not only knowledge but the arts. Making teaching self reliance and compassion and friendship mandatory in schools.

13. Pay teachers a decent wage, and fund supplies for the classroom.

14. I know this sounds harsh, but my mother was from Panama and i am not racist. close the borders for now to all aliens until we get our stuff together. a moritorium as it where. temporary.
So our federal officers can catch any terrorist now in the country and we can better prepare ourselves for an attack on American soil.

those who are laid off, are the most likely people who know what needs to be done...so re employ them doing that.







 

Insulation.. Insulation!! INSULATION!! Companies that are installing Solar-Power systems will triple their business and affect by pushing for training and research into insulational intra-fittings and heat-pump/exchange technology and building legislation... Especially with renewable, recyclable, harvestable forms of it such as Hybrid Adobe and sealant treatments that are superb in utilizing paper wastes and also be capable as a stock building material too.
Only have time now for 2cents worth; I'll be laying down a few bucks worth in the near future. Keeping Building Green!!

We've all heard a thousand times about green jobs involving electric cars, wind turbine generators, solar power, etc. All these are great ideas and hopefully the technology will soon catch up with the demand for these as well as the training involved with the manufacture and installation. So we move to the issue of weatherizing homes. This is another great idea as most homes in low to mid income neighborhoods are built with the lowest quality insullation and never weatherized for the whole life of the home. A relatively small investment for the benefit gained.
However, what no one seems to be mentioning is the HVAC issue. I live in Florida where the AC portion of everyone's electricity equivalates to about 50% of the entire bill annually. This is true pretty much throughout the entire southern U.S., and increasing at a rapid rate due to increasing temperatures and humidity every year.
The ideal program for an energy bill directed at stimulating the economy and at the same time decreasing the electrical demand in a broad scope would be well delivered with the instant upgrade of low income communities to higher efficiency air conditioning.
I hope the Green for All community can get the word out about the instant benefit of the iniative to upgrade the HVAC in the South. Not only are the jobs domestic and all the equipment available is produced in the U.S., the biggest factor is the technology is already available. Almost all the homes in low to mid income communities are operated by the minimum efficiency units available at the time of construction. This means not only would we be creating additional jobs that benefit American workers, but we would also see an instant drop in the energy demand by the U.S. consumer.

      I'm a very marginalized part-time employed farmer in Minnesota. Having spent my life trying to work "green" has
been, rather, a ticket to poverty. An example, I work part- time for the Dept. of the Interior, half time, with no health insurance or any benefits. The federal government is as bad as Walmart.

To the point of this letter. A multinational Spanish corporation is buying up the "wind rights" at my farm at a couple dollars per acre for 3 years. Poor people sign up for anything and did so here. The windmills make 2 megawatts of electricy per year so gross $2 million. The farmer gets a miserly $5 thousand for the land it takes up. Also, there are no guidelines for fairness in the positioning of these windmills. Basicly it is a free for all, with multinational corporations exploiting the local poor folks, without any regulation by our governments. In fact the federal government will now pay these exploitive multinations huge monies to develope these windmills and the regular folks get "pennies." To put this into perspective: The only profitable part of Enron were the windmills in Minnesota, it's easy to see why.

Call and write your Senator and Representaives to get equity and fairness in windmill development.

Congratulations Van on leading us to funding for green jobs in the Stimulus package! Many of us have worked hard for years for an outcome such as this; our students deserve no less! YouthBuild is a national program represented in over 200 communities nationwide. The program prepares low income youth for jobs and sustainable living through training in the construction of low-income homes and achievement of their academic goals. As YouthBuild has a strong construction component and works with low income students in low income communities, the program is ideally suited to implement the green jobs training programs funded in the Stimulus bill. While I represent the 25 YouthBuild programs in California, please feel free to contact me to visit any of these programs, including the Fresno YouthBuild programs which I started in 1995. (559) 994-5450. Paul

Major congrats to GreenForAll. Thank you for getting to word out and coordinating the right movement towards victory for all.

5 Million Green Jobs or more is the target - so make sure to find them.

http://www.5MillionGreenJobs.org or 5MillionGreenjobs.org

Should you have any questions please send email to info@5MillionGreenJobs.org.

May we bring Green to the world and to each life.

5MillionGreenjobs.org

I am most concerned with the drop in value of the older homes/townhome communities that are in disrepair, and the mortages are valued high above what they are actually worth. My idea is for the government to refit these (townhome and condo communities) with renewable energy and insulate them to use less energy, that way the value of the property will increase. Instead of paying high gas and electric bills the occupants in the communities could pay the government a minor fee each month. Any excess enery created could be sold commercially, and the profits goes back to the government until the federal deficits are paid off.

thank heavens.I have been pleading for green houseing,
jobs, etc. for 4 years in the metro area of Detroit. Can
you imagine how I have been listened too? But our Governor
is with it. As a older person will there be a place for
me in the green jobs or housing area? I will be able to
live a decent life as a senior if, and only if, I can
ever sell my house and find a small, efficient, green
place to live. It would solve so many problems older persons
face now in this economy, It is stupid to see all the
senior housing around here that cost 3000 to 4000 thousand
dollors a month and are not organic, green, or anything.
Many of us who are not able to fund such a housing option
are in need of an alternative, and we are not necessarily
of any race or ethic background. I would really like to
help somehow to began or find really affordable green
housing for older persons. Thank you for your interest.
Mary Phillips

The concerns are real and the issues many. We do need more training programs! We most provide equal educational opportunities for all America. We must remember that all people are created equally, and try to cross the great divides of racism in these works. We must cross many rivers( hurdles) as we walk this path. And poverty has a thunderous voice. YOU try to not be mad when your children and you do not have enough to eat! I will yell for you...WE NEED JOBS NOW!

Congratulations everyone for hard work paying off!

I'd like to also add that affordable housing and cultural preservation work being part of the movement for Green Jobs. Even though there will be jobs available for people to restore the environment, make sure that homeless, working poor and working class communities can stay in the communities they work for.

Affordable housing work includes bringing community's wisdom in transforming land use policy. In San Francisco, the work of ethnic communities, Latino, African, Chinese, Japan, Filipino - American and other communities to remember their histories of displacement, and inspire next generations to continue into professional fields, advocating for low-income community rights and needs. Such is the history of Manilatown and International Hotel, which contributed to the affordable housing movement all across our country.

I'd like to include that social and cultural justice work be considered a Green Job. We need to remember the histories that give us urgency in participating in this green movement, so that our historical and cultural wisdom can transform the effects of capitalism by seeing different ways to develop and progress.

Congratulations everyone for hard work paying off!

I'd like to also add that affordable housing and cultural preservation work being part of the movement for Green Jobs. Even though there will be jobs available for people to restore the environment, make sure that homeless, working poor and working class communities can stay in the communities they work for.

Affordable housing work includes bringing community's wisdom in transforming land use policy. In San Francisco, the work of ethnic communities, Latino, African, Chinese, Japan, Filipino - American and other communities to remember their histories of displacement, and inspire next generations to continue into professional fields, advocating for low-income community rights and needs. Such is the history of Manilatown and International Hotel, which contributed to the affordable housing movement all across our country.

I'd like to include that social and cultural justice work be considered a Green Job. We need to remember the histories that give us urgency in participating in this green movement, so that our historical and cultural wisdom can transform the effects of capitalism by seeing different ways to develop and progress.

   Great that there is finally some money for "green jobs". Congrats to all who've worked so hard to make it happen. I just wanted to make a comment regarding the scope of coming programs.
   I have a background as a builder of super-energy efficient Passive Houses in Illinois. As a community housing development organization, we've been building them for low-income first-time homebuyers. My experience on site with these projects has been very instructive. On a daily basis, I have taken 15, 20, 45 minutes at a time to answer questions and explain the concepts of super-insulation, airtight envelope, thermal bridges, and energy-recovery ventilation to very interested people from the neighborhood. Invariably, they'd say one or both of the following: a)"Man, I need one of these homes! My power bills are killing me!" and/or b)"Do you need any help? I need a job." I could put them in touch with our organization to see if they qualified for the homes, but I haven't had the wherewithal to be able to hire anybody else. But I've always had this sorta dream that we could directly train poor folks in advanced building techniques (if I can do it, anybody can!), putting them among the most skilled in a green building economy and also creating a network to revitalize our neighborhood homes, new or retrofit, to meet the energy and climate challenges ahead.

In Starhawk's book "The Fifth Sacred Thing" she describes an ecotopia where public space in the city is planted with fruit-bearing trees and vegetables, such that food is free for all. If we use money from this stimulus bill to TRAIN YOUTH LEADERS IN urban AND rural PERMACULTURE PRINCIPLES, we can grow all the food this country needs, without ecological harm, freeing us from dependence on imports and vitalizing both the land and human bodies. Honest work creates honest people; nourishing agricultural practices create nourishing foods. Honest, well-nourished people make strong communities and a strong country.
This approach would provide a positive impact on: 1) the employment crisis/lack of meaningful work 2) overall nutrition/the health care crisis 3) epidemics of obesity, heart disease, cancer 4) soil loss 5) water pollution 6) air pollution 7) factory farm runoff 8) accessibility of quality food to rich and poor alike 9) reliance on petroleum to drive tractors, fertilize crops, and truck food everywhere 10) degradation of urban space (rip up those parking lots and plant trees!) 11) transitioning to renewable resources 12) minimizing excess and waste
In sum, we could act like we respect the Earth as the source of life and livelihood.
When we take care of our land and take care of each other, there is no one to fear.

I would like communities to have some "shovel ready" , "off the shelf",
building designs available. Elevations, floor plans, materials lists, with the accompanied energy efficiency descriptions.

A passive solar, super insulated Fire House, A Public Works Garage, a dozen 1,2,3 bedroom single family homes. These would be mass produced
and skeletally identical, but have some ability to be customized-without affecting the structural integrity or "green" factors. My town just spent $500k on a preliminary "architectural plan" for a building I hope will never be built.

Not to dimish architects, but to promote that simple, solid , functional alternative for those communities that can't afford this kind of plan.
In many cases, it is just not wasting time and money "reinventing the wheel".

A good basic design will be a signiture of the time , hopefuuly as endearing as the VW Bug- but use of a known design will have the added
benifit of knowing dollars are well spend-befor the awarding of them. No over-runs on design, predictable useful life and energy cost to maintain. Mass production of component heat, light, and electrical systems. Bring the "economy of scale " to fruitfully bear on the small community or the small budget.

Thanks,Oh thanks! for all you do. (Saw Van at Media Reform Conference-very impressed and inspired by that)

Since so many clean, renewable energy resources are based on proper use of the Earth,
one part of promoting green jobs needs to be scholarships in earth sciences in exchange for an agreement to work in green energy--e.g., tidal, solar, hydro, geothermal, wind, volcanic --for a couple of years after graduation. People get med school paid for that way.

Posted by Jeanell Holmes, NOWBB

The news about the stimulus bill is awesome and I commend the organizers of Green for All along with many of the other nonprofit organizations who have championed the cause of creating a real inclusive selfless green movement. But, I must share that we have some huddles and/or bottlenecks that we must face.
First, many average citizens are not familiar with the Green Jobs Act and do not have a clue to what this all could mean within their community. Knowledge is the key but the green movement has several layers which can make it all so very complicated i.e. from the creation of jobs , to eating healthy, to being sustainable in the home and within the community which all lead to the globalizing thoughts of truly trying to save Mother Earth.
Second, many must realize that this is an actual life changing movement and not just some buzz word for the next eight years.
Third, we must convince many that this is not a movement toward socialization for these thoughts were whispered by some of our brothers and sisters who attended the Rapid Response Conference.
Fourth, legislation is different in every state. Funding for those boots on the ground organizations working through efforts of a shoe string budget, fighting local and state government red tape going through the maze of finding the funds; hey, I live in New Orleans where the aftermath of Katrina and Rita monies haven’t come to the hardest hit area yet, feeling as though I‘m Dorothy walking down the yellow brick road leading to no where and the challenge has shifted to now proving that your organization is not a threat to another.
Possible resolve, President Obama signs the bill Tuesday and then we need to set-up blog POC’s for each state tracking the funds. Also, have a national day of green which must be divided in two segments where on the same day, same time, across the nation we all join hands on the steps of every state capitol and in front of every city hall calling a national attention to our voices of concern with funds making clear that we want transparency and the trickle down process must work.
Finally, we need to approach Ted Turner to give us our own media Green For All network news CNN ; reporting green news 5 days a week, repeat the early morning news in the evening, and Saturday feature all the national and international organizations that are a part of the green movement. Sundays feature green movies.

Money could be invested in efforts to get us off mass produced factory & corporate controlled food production & unhealthy fast food chains taking over every corner, that's eroding our health, neighborhoods, society & environment, ie. More farmers markets to buy freshest, organic, local food. More local community/Victory gardens. Everyone can grow something...from individuals to communities; park districts, schools, churches, strip mall roofs, office buildings, abandoned lots. Gardening/farming experts/consultants can access each area for optimum yields.This would generate awareness of healthy food/lifestyles, reduce carbon footprints, beautify areas, create healthy sustainable jobs, contribute to education,local cultures, community efforts and help feed the needy.

If we want to create the most green jobs in the least time, we need to build the award-winning Interstate Traveler Hydrogen Superhighway (HyRail) in all 50 states! This amazing municipal infrastructure and transportation platform was designed in America and will create thousands of green jobs for Americans, jobs which can't be outsourced. Best of all, the whole thing can be constructed, operated and maintained without government subsidies of any kind!

All details appear at

http://HyRail.us

This amazing platform already has the support of key labor unions, including the AFL-CIO (including member unions UA and IBEW), and two state legislatures (MI and OK). Let's act today so that tomorrow everyone can ride the future with HyRail!

Imagine a place where thousands of homeless people can go during the day to develop skills, explore creativity, build community and generate a sense of belonging.

Free Society will welcome under-privileged people to be part of a community, provide job training, education, develop basic skills and promote personal growth. People will come to learn urban roof gardening, healthy cooking, general repairs & construction, solar panel installation, communication, and personal fitness to meet basic needs and create worth. Clients will follow individual tracks from participant to volunteer, and ultimately help run the program through reciprocity.

Free Society will connect with local services in San Francisco to provide opportunities for collaboration, and provide a living-wage work force. Each client will be encouraged to explore creativity, purpose, opportunity and feelings to perpetuate hope within the community.

Free Society is not a shelter, it is an idea lab. Clients and Staff will help determine the course and direction of the programs. Clients will take part in teaching and learning, giving and receiving, and ultimately build one-another up to change lives!

Envisioned as a community with a cause, Free Society will create opportunity and lift people out of poverty. Through training initiatives we will build a green-collar working class to advance the new energy economy and help produce a more sustainable ecosystem for us to live. These opportunities will promote healthier lives and free education for disadvantaged people. Ultimately leading to decreased homelessness, and a safer more attractive community.

Free Society will simultaneously tackle two of the most important issues facing society today; economic poverty and global warming. We recognize the great opportunity of building a clean energy economy while accessing an untapped resource of labor to provide thousands of people with an opportunity to be involved in an environmental solution while making a living. Free Society will advance clean energy, educate a new community of workers, bring opportunity to disadvantaged people and families, and ultimately change the ethos of our culture to focus on service.

The benefits of Free Society are far-reaching, including life-changing opportunity for under-privileged who are looking for their chance at change. It will benefit the community by creating safer, cleaner streets. It will benefit the environment through transforming homeless individuals into a green-collar working class. Free Society will also act as a model community for other cities and nations to lift people out of poverty.

The initial steps in implementing Free Society include finding an available facility to serve the clients as a meeting location, administration staff to organize the process and collaborate with organizations to provide training, and outreach staff to reach potential motivated individuals who could take part in the program.

Free Society will transform culture by establishing status, deriving satisfaction and challenging self with goals other than accumulating material wealth.

The model is designed to grow through reciprocity from 10 serving 100 to 100 serving 1,000 and on. Each participant will desire to give back to the community that empowered them.

The overall goals will be to reach 1,000 clients, train, educate and place 100 workers, and cultivate 10 new leaders in the first year. After evaluation, the program will continue to grow to reach 10,000 clients, place 1,000 workers and cultivate 100 new leaders in the second year.

By the completion of the second year, Free Society will have made a visual impact on the homeless problem in San Francisco, and heightened the conscience of the community through the generation of hope.

A Source for Creating Green Jobs: We've started a new training sustainable living consultants and would like to offer the opportunity to serious groups who want to do incredible things for their communities with the sturdy support of a team. Educate. Empower. Creating a sustainable future.

Creating Green Consumers: We need to all walk the talk on this one. I wanted to make an impact with each purchase I could direct my dollars (Read: power) to. That's the reason I started my business three years ago even before the Green Movement reached it's current momentum. Support Building Wellness for Peace entrepreneurs and not only do you support your beliefs but you support local, often young entrepreneurs.

Creating Green Fundraisers: This one's a shameless plug but we want to see the synergy that comes with helping people and generating income by, again, helping people. Please contact me if you have ideas or would like to participate. For those organizers who are already short on resources: we work with you to make sure that the project is managed and all you have to do is spread the word for your causes.
   
Credibility: We need to address accountability and to make sure that green jobs are actually green, that there is a market for what we have to offer, that it's not just for profit, that disenfranchised folks have the same access to living green, either as a business owner, worker or just an Earth Being. Paradigm shift, please! We need ongoing energy not passing-fad mentality!

There is no quick-fix but there are things you can do right now.

Lets see if we can make a difference on a local level. By using technologies proven in other countries we can control emissions affecting the air we breathe.

Let's call on municipalities, universities, the golf industry, commercial lawn care businesses and other businesses using non-regulated fuel burning engines to do better than they are currently doing. By deploying these new "shoval-ready" technologies this would not only create jobs, but would also create a sustainable local enviroment.

Since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, all primary air pollutants have decreased - except NOx, which has increased by 10%. Due to its serious health and environmental impact, the reduction of NOx in our atmosphere has now become a major focus in the fight against air pollution.

Diesel, biodiesel, gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood and coal all produce carbon monoxide when burned. In the United States, 60% of CO emissions are from vehicle exhaust. In congested urban areas, up to 95% of CO emissions can be attributed to on-road and off-road vehicles.

Lawn equipment: personal, municipal and commercial landscapers …

o have no catalytic converters (at all) and engine exhaust pollutants go directly into the air.

o In a single day, Southern California's lawn tools spew out more pollution than all the aircraft in the Los Angeles area. A single mower puts out more pollution than 73 new cars.

o An older, gas-powered lawn mower pollutes as much in one hour as driving from DC to NY and back.

o Using a two-stroke chain saw for two hours produces emissions equivalent to ten 1995 cars driving 250 miles each (one car = 2,500 miles)

o Using a two-stroke gasoline powered hedge trimmer for 30 minutes emits the same emissions as a 1995 car driven 331 miles.

Negative effects of the above apply to the following as well …

On-road and Off-road vehicles
o According to the EPA, motor vehicles generate over 90% of urban CO pollution.

o In one year, a car can produce 4 times its own weight in carbon monoxide.

o Heavy diesel equipment (bull dozers, earth movers) manufactured in 2007 can release 15 to 30 times more particulate matter and about 15 times more nitrogen oxides compared to a new highway diesel truck or bus.

o Over the course of its lifetime, a gasoline car will spew out 60 times more CO, 30 times more VOC, and twice as much CO2 as an electric power plant.

o Marine engines, jet skis, ATV - 4 wheelers have no emissions regulations at this time.

o Cranes and rental generators used for outdoor events, movies, concerts, etc. are not regulated.

Anyone wishing to start a grass-roots effort to clean local air quality, please feel free to contact me at trkarnes@aol.com for more information.

Let's keep and expand the California Conservation Corps with some of the money for green jobs. The CCC pioneered using sustainable practices in the 1970's. Their organization knows how to train people. Let's use existing structures like our CCC, community colleges and state schools for training. The CCC ought to expand to get ready for the mitigation and adaptation measures (including disaster relief) we will need to deal with the changes climate change is going to bring to agriculture, watersheds, energy needs, infrastructure and individuals who will need assistance. Let's build upon something that is working.

I agree with Karen Eggerman's comments on the California Conservation Corps. Back in the late 1990s I worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service doing salmon habitat restoration on Northern CA. The CCC always fielded an enthusiastic, hardworking group of young adults who provided plenty of hands-on labor and gave us lots of bang for the buck. Plus, it really helped a good work ethic and snese of environmental stewardship in the CCC workers - a truely win-win situation.

I've noticed a surge of interest in offshore wind farms like the one off Nantucket. I've always wondered why they don't install wind turbines on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel - the 17 mile long Bridge Tunnel connecting the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area to Virginia's Eastern Shore. The infastructure is already there, there is virtually always a decent breeze blowing and there is a major market for the electricity at the foot of the bridge tunnel, especially on the southern end. Guess it just makes too much sense!

how will the greening funds be used to retrofit the low income housing buildings, like section 8? i live in a dump and freeze to death because of faulty windows. is there a sheathing film that can make this place warmer? how about new windows? most people in this complex don't ever turn their heat on because we can't pay the bill, but not me. After the Enron film, they can KMA! i want to get this building on a list to get some solar panels.

UEK Delaware LP is a "green energy" company. Our Hydro-kinetic turbines were developed by Philippe Vauthier to produce a clean, renewable form of energy through the collection or harvesting of hydro-kinetic energy produced by currents in rivers, man-made channels, tidal waters and ocean currents. The collection process is done without changing the natural pathway of its source or the ecological environment that the source supports.

Philippe Vauthier applied for his first patent in this technology in January 1978 and received his fifth patent in December 2007. UEK Corporation was established in 1981 in Annapolis, MD. The corporation has licensed UEK Delaware LP to build the turbines in Delaware and we are actively engaged in locating a facility for the assembly plant in Sussex County.

We have received a grant from the state's Energy Office to place one twin unit in the outflow channel of NRG's Millsboro Power Plant's Unit #4. In addition to that we were issued a preliminary Permit NO. 13245 on January 7,2009 for a Tidal Hydrokinetic Energy Project in the Indian River Inlet.

The Indian River Inlet project would generate 10 semi-skilled jobs, and sub-contracted tasks. The NRG project which uses the outflow from their cooling tower will be used to show the other 10,000+ facilities nationwide the economic value of installing our technology at their sites. Depending on the percentage of companies wanting to improve the efficiency of their operation, 100-400 employees would be needed to assemble those turbines. After year two when the maintenance cycle commences an additional 100+ jobs would be created.