The Broward County Green Workforce Innovation Project

1. The Broward County Green Workforce Innovation Project White Paper April 2010

2. Sponsors • Citi Foundation • $50,000 grant • The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward Economic Development Alliance • Broward College • The Broward College Foundation • Workforce One Barbra Romani, Citi Director of Community Relations, and J. David Armstrong Jr., President of Broward College

3. Objective • Foster the growth of green jobs for low to middle income communities • Learn where they will emerge • Look for ways to encourage their development through: • Training Programs • Changes in Public Policy

4. Definition • What are green jobs? • The Clean Energy Report, PEW Center • Clean Energy • Energy Efficiency • Environmentally Friendly Production • Conservation and Pollution Mitigation • Training and Support

5. Primary Sectors Case Studies • Biomass • Photovoltaics • Energy Efficiency • Green Transportation • Wheelabrator • Advanced Green Technology • Minority Builders Coalition • Broward College & GM

6. Biomass Source PEW Center on Global Climate Change

7. Biomass • Targeted Industry Study describes it as being “essential to preserve (the) state’s status in the innovation economy.” • Clean Energy Trends 2010 describe industry expansion. • State and county plan to increase waste sent to waste-to-energy plants.

8. Biomass: Wheelabrator Technologies Inc. • In Broward since 1991 • Two plants • Over 100 employees • Use Municipal waste • generate 134 megawatts • Enough for 77,000 homes • Reduce landfill use 90% South Broward

9. Biofuels • Broward College and Genesis Center exploring partnership to provide training for small biofuel businesses. • bioproducts-feedstock collection • small biorefinery plant operations • bioproducts marketing

10. Biomass Recommendations • Broward College should consider developing a capstone course for Wheelabrator Technicians. • Broward College should partner with Genesis Center to provide biofuel training. • Broward College should develop an AS in Biofuels. • State and County should increase waste sent to waste-to-energy plants in a responsible fashion. • Biomass technologies should be included in the County PACE program.

11. Photovoltaics • Targeted Industry Study: “great potential for the south Florida market area” • PV Prices dropping • Thin film solar cells • Silicon prices dropping • County plans to move its buildings to renewable energy Thin Film Solar Cells

12. Photovoltaics: Advanced Green Technologies • Spin off from Advanced Roofing • Train roofers to install solar technology • Part of Minority Builders grant • Place 200 trainees • Broward Technical Centers • Unfunded Rebate • PACE financing • Revolving loan • Partnership for Sustainability • FPL Sunshine Energy • 80% a dollar a month Governor Charlie Crist at Advanced Green Technologies

13. Photovoltaics: Broward College • Exploring Partnership with solar technology training company • Provide students industry quality training • Reduce cost of moving college to renewable energy • Developing AS for Solar Technicians

14. Photovoltaics: Recommendations • Broward College should continue to seek a partnership with solar technology training company. • Broward College should continue its effort to develop a solar technician AS degree and be prepared to update it regularly with new technology. • Broward County should consider developing a revolving loan fund for solar technology installations that is implemented through a PACE program.

15. Energy Efficiency • Over $4 million in Training grants • Minority Builders • “Pathways out of Poverty” grant—Broward OIC • Growth trend in 2009 • Broward College saved $7.5 million 1997-2008

16. Energy Efficiency – The Broward County Minority Builders Coalition • 70 Contractors • Began in 1973 • Largest provider of Weatherization services in Florida • $3.2 million grant • Training for 700 jobs in: • Weatherization • Solar PV • Solar Thermal • LEED Green Associate

17. Energy Efficiency – PACE financing • Property Assessed Clean Energy Financing • Sonoma Model • Youth Green Jobs Sonoma • 8.4% increase in construction • County investments used • FL legislation passed March 17th.

18. Energy Efficiency: Recommendations • Broward County should research best practices for PACE programs. • Broward County should consider using public investments to fund PACE bonds. • The PACE program should be considered an ongoing public service. • The private bond market should be included in the PACE program. • Information from the program should be used to improve consumer decisions, insure quality control, highlight benefits of program, and conduct research.

19. Green Transportation

20. Green Transportation – Broward College and General Motors • Training consistent with industry standards • Job pipeline • Hybrids coming

21. Green Transportation: Recommendations • Seek grant funding for material upgrades for hybrid training. • Consider hybrid contest to attract students. A Malibu and Tahoe Hybrid serve as taxis in Dubai

22. Research into the Future • Water Turbines • Not intermittent • $1.2 million grant to FAU The Gulf Stream

23. Conclusion • Opportunities • PACE & Training Grants • Broward College Partnerships • Green Transportation • Solar Technology • Biomass

24. References • www.greenworkforce.wordpress.com/research/ • www.greenworkforce.wordpress.com/pace/