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Green Jobs: Implications for State Policy. Academy on State Economic Development Policy Atlanta, GA September 5, 2008. Defining Green Jobs. “Green-collar jobs are living-wage, career track jobs that contribute directly to preserving or enhancing environmental quality.”
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Green Jobs: Implications for State Policy Academy on State Economic Development Policy Atlanta, GA September 5, 2008
Defining Green Jobs “Green-collar jobs are living-wage, career track jobs that contribute directly to preserving or enhancing environmental quality.” --Green-Collar Jobs in America’s Cities “Green Jobs are jobs in the primary industries of the green economy that promote environmental protection and energy independence.” • --WA CTED
What are Green-Collar Jobs? • Look a lot like jobs in traditional industries • Largely middle-skill – more than H.S., less than B.A. required • The job creation potential is enormous • Most clean energy jobs offer living wages and career pathways • Many are difficult to offshore
WA Climate Action and Green Jobs Bill • Links a green-collar jobs initiative and greenhouse gas reduction strategies in a single piece of legislation. • Includes (1) labor market analysis of the kind and quality of green jobs in demand; (2) partnerships of key stakeholders to develop strategic plans for closing skills gaps for green jobs in specific industries; (3) and a fund to pay for training and other supports for green-collar workers
MA Green Jobs Bill • Creates the MA Clean Energy Technology Center to control a $43M investment fund • The Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs is authorized to spend: • $1M for seed grant program for clean energy companies • $1M for workforce development grant program • $100,000 for study of clean energy labor market, energy efficiency opportunities for state property, etc. • $1M for pathways out of poverty initiative
MN Green Jobs Legislation • Adds development of green economy to criteria for economic development assistance to businesses. • Creates a Green Jobs Task Force that includes multiple agencies and stakeholders • Tasked with creating a statewide action plan to optimize the growth of the green economy, which will include an analysis of business opportunities and needs; labor force needs related to market analysis; an inventory of current labor and business assets
State Financing for Energy Efficiency Retrofits at a Broad Scale • Models exist to cover upfront costs of retrofits, capture energy savings, and reduce energy costs. • Potential to be an enormous job creator