Building Capacity for Green Economic Development. Nelson Institute Earth Day Conference April 22, 2009

Transcription

1 Building Capacity for Green Economic Development Nelson Institute Earth Day Conference April 22, 2009

2 The Green Economy Can it BOOM? Will it bust?

3 What is the Green Economy? Jobs that promote environmentally sustainable practices Jobs that provide a stable, living wage

4 Think broadly- What is a Green Job? Green jobs involve some task associated with improving the environment, including reducing carbon emissions and creating and/or using energy more efficiently. 1 1 The White House Task Force on the Middle Class, Green Jobs: A Pathway to a Strong Middle Class (Staff Report, February 2009), available at

5 Where are the opportunities? Energy o Efficiency o Renewables o Smart Grid Demand & Dispatch Transportation o Fuels o Vehicles o Infrastructure Water o Efficiency o Quality

6 Types of jobs Energy Efficiency o Building retrofit: Electricians; HVAC, carpentry, roofing & insulation installers; heavy equipment & truck operators; managers; building inspectors o Smart Grid: Computer & electrical engineers; equipment assemblers & technicians; machinists; construction laborers; electric power line installers & repairpersons Renewables o Wind power: Environmental engineers; iron, steel & sheet metal workers; assemblers; construction equipment & truck operators; millwrights; machinists; production managers & supervisors o Solar power: Electrical engineers; electricians & mechanics; welders, fabricators & assemblers; construction equipment operators; construction laborers, managers o Advanced Biofuels: Chemical engineers & chemists; equipment, machine & truck operators; technicians; Ag & forestry supervisors, inspectors & workers General o Office support, information technology, accounting, human resources, purchasing

7 WECC experience 41 FTE positions added since April 2008 o Education 21 high school diploma or equivalent 14 associates or bachelors degree 6 bachelors, graduate degree preferred o Minimum Entry Level Salary $24,000 to $44, $45,000 to $69,999 8 $70,000 or above - 5

8 WECC experience Residential Program Consultant Strategic Planning Director Trade Ally Services Manager Marketing managers and coordinators Technical coordinator Database Manager Software developer Information Center Specialist Field Representatives Executive and Administrative Assistants Project managers IT Director Staffing Specialist

9 How many jobs are possible? Various estimates Dollars Invested (efficiency): o Every $1 million generates 8 to 11 on-site jobs 1 o Every $1 million creates 21.5 jobs 2 Units of Energy Saved (renewables): Energy Source 3 Number of Jobs/MW Wind 3.5 Solar PV 15.2 Geothermal 4.8 Biomass-Dedicated Steam Greener Pathways: Jobs & Workforce Development in the Clean Energy Economy, by Sarah White & Jason Walsh; Center on Wisconsin Strategy, The Workforce Alliance, The Apollo Alliance, New Energy for America, The Apollo Jobs Report: Good Jobs & Energy Independence, The Apollo Alliance, Table from Component Manufacturing: Wisconsin s Future in the Renewable Energy Industry, by George Sterzinger, Matt Svrcek, Jerry Stevens; Renewable Energy Policy Project technical Report, January 2006

10 Focus on Energy 4 jobs\1 million kwh 1 $1 million in public\ratepayer investment creates up to 34 jobs 1 Focus on Energy Cumulative Benefits, July 1, 2001-June 30, 2007, PA Consulting Evaluation Team

11 Policy & Jobs in Wisconsin ARRA GGWTF Actual Jobs* Weatherization $70 million 1505 EECBG $ Approximate Jobs* 1.5% electric load reduction $210 million % renewables by MW 2398 Green House Gas emission limits *Rough estimate of direct & indirect job creation

12 Is the Green Economy Boom All signs point to! Sustainable? Sustained public policy commitment driven by mounting economic, security and environmental threats Remaining availability of cost effective energy efficiency & renewable energy we ve just touched the tip of the iceburg

13 Some key remaining available opportunities Retrofit: o Wisconsin has 1,289,469 single-family households: 393,063 need major shell improvement o Add multi-family: Likely close to 500,000 homes need major shell improvement Renewables: o Think about how many roofs are without solar panels

14 How do we build capacity? Maintain policy commitment Look to existing capacity in under-utilized sectors, i.e., construction Build career pathways o Entry level work supports training for certification leading to long-term, family supporting career Collaboration