Talking Green

Info on Green Jobs Training Grants

This DOL info has information on how to apply for grants fro green jobs training, for those interested in looking for applying for the grants.

Among other funding directed toward the Department of Labor (DOL), the Recovery Act provides $750 million for a program of competitive grants for worker training and placement in high growth and emerging industries. Of the $750 million allotted for competitive grants, the Recovery Act designates $500 million for projects that prepare workers for careers in the energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors described in Section 171(e)(1)(B) of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), as amended to incorporate the Green Jobs Act of 2007.

Plenty of money for training. So go get 'em..

UNEP Definition of Green Jobs..

Yesterday, I posted my question about "what is a green job?", since there's no clear cut definition out there on the subject. So, treat this as my obsession to find a simple yet meaningful definition of green jobs, in addition to the one I heard at a conference.

Green jobs by definition, via UNEP's (United Nations Environment Program): 

We define green jobs as work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality. Specifically, but not exclusively, this includes jobs that help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or altogether avoid generation of all forms of waste and pollution.

[via report on Green Jobs: Towards decent work in a sustainable, low-carbon world]

What is a Green Job?

Everyone is so excited with the prospect of green jobs. Who doesn't? With unemployment level at record high. Obama Administration wanted to create 5 million jobs in the next 10 years by investing $150B in renewable energy. To start with the Stimulus package includes the $500M funding appropriated for green jobs training. And with the $76B in direct and indirect incentives, the upside potential for green jobs is definitely here.

However, before we cheer on its upside potential, can we at least agree on one thing: what is a green job, anyway? Because there's just too many definition floating out there. There's no clear cut definition of what is green, green job.

Thanks to IREC to have a write-up on this topic recently. They've done a good job compiling 'green jobs' definition from various sources, including from Van Jones, Phil Angelides with Apollo Alliance, Joel Makower with GreenBiz, Rona Fried with SustainableBusiness.com, and more. It's true the more you look at the definition, the more likely you get confused, because there's simply no clear cut definition available, via IREC.

We have looked at some definitions that are being used and have also reviewed some recent reports and mission statements.  The more we dig, the more questions are raised.  We think it is important to have a working definition but one that isn’t limiting nor one that is too vague that it could be used to misrepresent the intent of green jobs.

When I Googled definition of 'what is a green job,' there was 291M sites with matched search word. Oh my! Here are some examples:

• Van Jones: "My definition of a green-collar job is this:  it is a family-supporting, career-track job that directly contributes to preserving or enhancing environmental quality." [IREC]
  
• Phil Angelides: "It has to pay decent wages and benefits that can support a family. It has to be part of a real career path, with upward mobility. And it needs to reduce waste and pollution and benefit the environment." [Time]
• Joseph Romm: "Green jobs are living-wage, career-track jobs that contribute to preserving or enhancing environmental quality." [Grist]
• Repower America: "Green jobs provide healthy environments for workers while helping build a clean economy. These are good jobs involving work that is often familiar. Plumbers, welders, carpenters and others continue to use their skills, but in fields like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture or green building. They install solar energy panels on rooftops, build wind turbines, retrofit homes for energy efficiency, and much more." [Repower America]
• Robert Pollin (PERI): "I'm greatly in favor of investing in things that will promote a clean environment, fight global warming, and those investments will all create jobs, and I don't really care what color they are." [Alternet]
• And more..

You see how confusing they are. It's a 'mouthful' just trying to define it..

And then, Fast Company have its list of 10 best green jobs for next decade. Their top 10 jobs includes some jobs mentioned by people quoted above plus other industries like farming, forestry, urban planning, etc.

A while back when I attended 'Good Jobs, Green Jobs' conference, in one of the meetings, there was somebody who gives a short and simple definition. (sorry I couldn't recall his name). This is what he said:

"Green job is any job that help reduce carbon footprint"

Keyword: any.

There you go. Simple, no?

Live Blogging: Va. Green Jobs & Clean Energy

I am blogging from a townhall meeting on "Green Jobs and Clean Energy" in Richmond. Meeting is hosted by Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-3). He'll be joined by an interesting mix of panelists: Karl Bren (Green Visions), Michael Schewel (McGuireWoods), Glen Besa (Sierra Club), Thad Williamson (Univ. of Richmond) and Prof. James Wetzel (VCU). 

The room was packed. I think people are really excited to hear what's coming on the line via Stimulus package. That or they're looking for new jobs.

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(scroll down to read from beginning)

Q&A. Not in particular order. A guy asked about how Gov would handle waste. Sierra: Check recovery.gov website to make sure that funds get distributed properly. Quite a line up questioners (maybe more than 20 people).

• How do we get trained?
• Weatherization is it only for poor people? Rental properties need weatherization, too.
• Mandate for transit vs. road improvement? Fix-it priority according to Scott is done a lot quicker. There's significant priority to repair. If local gov not under contract in 180 days will lose some funds.
• Environmental literacy among ordinary citizens if the Adm trying to do something?
• A teacher who just got laid off asking 'how do we get green jobs?'
• A lady said that she sent 354 letters to Cong. Scott..how community going to use the money? He said that they have the biggest turnout of elected officials in the morning during briefing. Most of the control is via state and local government. Check www.recovery.gov to follow the $. 
• A lady said she'd lived in CA, OR before moving to Va. She's surprised that people do not recycle much around here.. complain about the hood she lives... bring ideas from her 13 year kid for the state/ local gov. to convert trash to cash or energy.
• Farming and forestry anything to help these industries? A: FSC certified wood. Scott added that Congress passed conservation for Chesapeake bay. Expect to see more wood certification going forward.
• A guy who's rented asking if there's anything to help renters or should say landlords to fix-up properties.. anything in the bill to deal with that. Landlord has no incentive. Prob is something to do with education. A: a lot of $ for retrofit but not directly help landlords.. tax credits to pay portion of weatherization cost.. landlord has no financial interest.
• Interesting.. somebody is promoting their biz instead of asking question.
• Va. lock in energy monopoly via Dominion Power.. why Va. don't do something with solar power, he doesn't think that Virginia doing that.. he's hoping that DP get on board with energy conservation. Scott said we should check the pricing structure.
• Last question. Not a question, rather a statement. Her Congressman is Cantor. Is there a reason that because she doesn't live in his district she can't email him?

8:50pm: Closing remarks. Touched issue on energy conservation.

7:29pm: Karl Bren been doing green homes for 15 years. We have a deadline. Have no time to waste. Talk about the most immediate to do energy efficiency, winterize homes. Tell a story about his insulation on the attic. We waste so much energy (right on!). Try to green his church... Said that we have to increase efficiency for our homes not only to save $ reduce carbon footprint. Putting insulation, heatpump, A/C, water, etc. - is energy consuming product. He is EarthCraft guy in Va.

7:19pm: Michael Schewel. He said that he represents the unrepented capitalist. Key point to create green job you have to be able to create money for private enterprise. Green energy in Va. Energy have 36k employees, if incl. nuclear 6-9k that's today. Tomorrow, show statistics. 2008 number is flat econ is flat. Chart total global new investment in clean energy that's trending up. Wind energy grows 74% solar 52% efficiency 57%. Services in Va. going to grow the most, comp tech, military development - things that generate all sorts of improvements. There's co. in Va. works on clean tech for wind power (didn't mention the name). Show another chart of grid parity coming soon between solar vs. cost of electricity. More jobs avail in this industry, install, manufacture, etc. Biggest opportunity in Va. is nuclear (the biggest co.doing nuclear - didn't hear it clear has the HQ in Va.?), energy efficiency, services, green tech, energy crops and equipment manufacturing. Need to mention that green energy is more expensive than fossil fuel (huh?).

7:09pm: Thad Williamson. A couple of points: 1) expert announce carbon emission worldwide increasing. 2) the country still growing, 390M people in 2050 3) 2006 data 12K manufacturing jobs in Richmond, 40% decrease in 6 years - this is national trend, blue collar jobs 4) live in house 1922 small portion of income goes to heating bill. 5) people lives in Richmond leaves as soon as they have the resources to go. Mentioned about Van Jones book Green collar economy. Combining green jobs and economic justice. The goal is to get rid of poverty. There are many examples in the country. For example in DC. Richmond, CA leader connecting employer and job training efforts. No reason Richmond, Va. can get to that point.

7:01pm: 2nd.. speaker. Trying to get his name.. Said that green jobs are not new that Fed has. Overview on how to utilize resources better. What we see now is what used to be clean jobs now are called green jobs. Green jobs not new, that's the message. OK got his name, Prof. James Wetzel with VCU.

6:50pm: Glen Besa speaks. Talk about Sierra Club. A couple of environment folks from NRDC, Pew Inst. in audience.  The stimulus is important to the economy. Money and programs directed to green jobs. The issue of climate change how we need to reduce the risk of climate change. Energy security is another concern. As we repair schools and Fed bldgs is opportunity to make them greener. What is a green job? It's basically the jobs you already have. Accountant working for solar company. Building retrofit a lot of money going to that. Transit. Wind power, solar power, bio-fuels, biomass, etc. These are the things if invested here cannot be outsourced - will stay. Talk about CAP study on green jobs. Mentioned a few Va spec: $21M a year for drinking water; $81M clean up the bay, $1.16B transit project, $51M public housing capital fund, $71M for state energy program, $96M weatherization (10x amount of $ from past). Potential wind power in the state. Va coastal resource study on Va beach coast 4000 MW (=7 plant Wise county).

6:35pm: Congressman Bobby Scott opening remarks. Today Pres. Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The most important issue to address is job losses. What the Act is the opportunity to change the economy as well as create new jobs for the economy. Green economy. People are looking for newer and cleaner energy. Reduce heating, etc. Go down the list what this bill is about. Showed chart on job losses in recent recession. (I see if I can get the chart for the blog). Remind the audience that we have 13 consecutive mos of recession. Show chart majority of states in recession. Highlights of what the bill do, i.e: historic increases in eduction, infrastructure improvements, investment in science and tech, tax cuts for American families, tax incentives for state and local economy, extended unemployment benefits, lowers healthcare cost and modernize healthcare system, green jobs, tax incentives for renewables, energy efficiency, etc. Money will be distributed through the states via block and formula grants.

Bobby Scott says that "Investment via green jobs to make America more competitive." Then intro the five panelists.

6:30pm: Waiting for the meeting to start. Dr. Scott, director of the facility (Adult Ed) welcoming the guests.

Green Impact on Billion $$$ of Spending

You want to see how a well crafted green recovery plan can impact the jobs market? Here's something from Peterson Institute of International Economics and WRI (World Resources Institute) report that shows you exactly the impact of every billion dollar of spending on creating 'green jobs.' [h/t Environmental Leader]

Via WRI.

(to view full size chart click here)

For the full report here.

Obama Press Conference

2/9/09: Presidential Press Conference from White House on Vimeo.

I have to admit the last 8 years, I never ever watched White House press conference! What for? Last night, however, was different. Bloggers got invited for the conference. I watched the 'entire' conference with no interruption. My take from last night: Obama takes no crap from those who's trying hard to keep tax cut as the solution to crisis. Yes, you know who they are.

The best part from last night (I think) is when he said the need to fix buildings (h/t Tree Hugger).

This is another concern that I've had in some of the arguments that I'm hearing. [against the stimulus plan] When people suggest that, "What a waste of money to make federal buildings more energy-efficient." Why would that be a waste of money? We're creating jobs immediately by retrofitting these buildings or weatherizing 2 million Americans' homes, as was called for in the package, so that right there creates economic stimulus. And we are saving taxpayers when it comes to federal buildings potentially $2 billion. In the case of homeowners, they will see more money in their pockets. And we're reducing our dependence on foreign oil in the Middle East. Why wouldn't we want to make that kind of investment?

Now, maybe philosophically you just don't think that the federal government should be involved in energy policy. I happen to disagree with that; I think that's the reason why we find ourselves importing more foreign oil now than we did back in the early '70s when OPEC first formed. And we can have a respectful debate about whether or not we should be involved in energy policymaking, but don't suggest that somehow that's wasteful spending. That's exactly what this country needs.

List of Senate Stimulus Cut

I don't think the Senators understand 'the severity' of the economic crisis we face, especially Republican Senators. These guys are so out of touch with the reality! They just don't get it. Some items are trimmed partially and some are completely toss out. For example, items that are completely tossed out: $40 bil state stabilization fund, $1.2 bil retrofitting project 8 housing, $2.25 bil neighborhood stabilization, $100 mil distance learning, $98 mil school nutrition, $16 bil school construction, etc.

Here's Paul Krugman saying it.

In particular, aid to state governments, which are in desperate straits, is both fast — because it prevents spending cuts rather than having to start up new projects — and effective, because it would in fact be spent; plus state and local governments are cutting back on essentials, so the social value of this spending would be high.

What's cut, via CNN.

Partially cut:

• $3.5 billion for energy-efficient federal buildings (original bill $7 billion)

• $75 million from Smithsonian (original bill $150 million)

• $200 million from Environmental Protection Agency Superfund (original bill $800 million)

• $100 million from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (original bill $427 million)

• $100 million from law enforcement wireless (original bill $200 million)

• $300 million from federal fleet of hybrid vehicles (original bill $600 million)

• $100 million from FBI construction (original bill $400 million)

Fully eliminated

• $55 million for historic preservation

• $122 million for Coast Guard polar icebreaker/cutters

• $100 million for Farm Service Agency modernization

• $50 million for Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service

• $65 million for watershed rehabilitation

• $100 million for distance learning

• $98 million for school nutrition

• $50 million for aquaculture

• $2 billion for broadband

• $100 million for National Institute of Standards and Technology

• $50 million for detention trustee

• $25 million for Marshalls Construction

• $300 million for federal prisons

• $300 million for BYRNE Formula grant program

• $140 million for BYRNE Competitive grant program

• $10 million state and local law enforcement

• $50 million for NASA

• $50 million for aeronautics

• $50 million for exploration

• $50 million for Cross Agency Support

• $200 million for National Science Foundation

There's more here..

Green Anthem

I first heard this on Friday at the closing of Good Jobs Green Jobs conference. Imagine - just imagine - the feeling watching this in big screen with thousands of people around you..

We're Changing the World: Blogging Green Jobs Conference (last day)

The last day of the "Good Jobs Green Jobs" conference opened with DC Labor Chorus singing "We're Going to Change the World."

GREEN PLENARY

Winona LaDuke, Exec Dir. Honor the earth speaking.

We’re addicted to fossil fuel. Cannot build a society base on conquest. There’s only so many places you can conquer. You’re going to build some societies base on justice. Against proposal on the economy for nuclear waste in Indian communities. We do not want to see clean coal because we cannot clean them. The question is if we have the commitment and humility to fix this. Indian reservations is the windiest place in the world. Just need the grid. Can produce 1/4 of US electrical consumption. What's the point of consumption if no efficiency. They localize fuel economy. Reduce heating bill by 20%. The next econ. has to be just, simple and great. Need deconstructing for our own stuffs. She got standing O.

Fred Redmond, US Steelworkers.

Today is a special morning. Talk about his union who works for large multinationals compete locally. Feel a special obligation. We can't have good jobs w/o clean environment and can't have clean enviro without good jobs. Speak about the work with coalition Sierra, Blue Green Alliance. Gives hope to the union. We need to go home and take our planet back.

Vanessa Jones, reads poet 'two wings world.' With my one wing I can fly. I can soar. I can do anything in this 2 wings world.

Van Jones

Van Jones come on stage. He got standing ovation. He appreciates the leadership of David Foster and BG Alliance. We can be part of co-creating. Applause for Apollo Alliance. Energy Action Coalition. Ella Baker. Applause for the movement. "If the FBI if keeping track of this movement, they would somewhat baffle.. can you imagine how they report back?" Are you happy about caulk gun? This is a profound movement. This is a movement we've been waiting for. There's an expression of it in the electoral. So many people coming together to realign politic. That happened last year. The people never voted before. They're hoping for a change. When you realign politic that's the first step of politics. The unity of purpose of pride, solidarity, people of all color. Let us to show us the world that November 4 is not a fluke. Applause. Carry the box of ballots to Hall of Congress for new economy. We want new econ. It's even deeper than Barack Obama, it's also about western civilization. Winona is trying to say it a nice way ".. I told you so!" You're great great grandmother was right about the earth. Earth is precious. We can put a price tag on everything incl. YOU. And now just a few hundred years later. Great grandma was right. This country that every color.. a new conversation shows.. the green economy. Deeper than VF, solar panel. This is a human family coming back to earth? Human family. Who are we? In the final hour, are we locust. Was America mistakes. Are we locust. Are we going to drive mass distinction. What kind of species are we? What kind of work? What kind of relationship between species and work? This is a profound movement.. be braver. We just started a clean energy revolution. But we still have to deal with water, waste, toxic and how we treat each other.

Build green growth alliance. Green growth alliance that incl. everybody. We can build green econ Dr King will be proud. 70% of global warming problem is cities. Save artic is to save a neighborhood. If you're native American: no more broken trees! You're hero. Sacrifice your lung. Your children. Some people wanted to blow up your grandmother's mountain. Want Appalachian be protected. NOLA to Appalachia.

In conclusion: We got work to do. He made jokes. Made faces. This is it. It's going to be up to us to go back home. We gotta take a stand now. Labor movement is going to be greener and bolder. Be brave. 3 kinds of green job give so a job behind a desk green to union job. Black folks don't want green movement. Magic & genius of the brother in WH. Because of him America is back. Justice for all is rising. You can. Yes we can. BO brought America back. Working with him we can do more take America back. Thank you very much.

Green for All staffs got on stage. Intro his minister Rev. minister Wood. The dream generation (refers to Green for All staffs). Now his preacher speaks. Closing with "Power to the People."

Participants go to workshops..

Gov. O'Malley (MD)

In the green room, run into Leo. Asked him how things going. Leo said not good. O'Malley said "Leo, things are going to get better. It's good to have Pres. who's on our side. This conf is important for sustainability community. We have complex and challenges issue. Very fortunate to have leader in our side and glad that he pledges to restore science back. Mikulski said we're in hand to hand combat for stimulus. Talk about the 3 S: Sec., skills and sustainability. Green tech and green jobs. With legislations working to bring new jobs, eco-friendly and max benefit for family. Share some of the things in MD. State has the #1 public school system in America, says Education magazine. College board also HS students #1 who takes AP exam. 1st state to create green energy center. Smart, green and grown, etc. Reaching out to younger MDs. Experience if you want to get to the adult, reach out to the kids. MD frozen zero percent increase in college tuition. Plans to launch MD index for sustainability sometime this year. Correlation in how we treat one another is how we treat the earth. 

Lisa Jackson

Intro by someone from NJ Teamster. In her first memo EPA can meet the nation's challenges only if employees need are meet. "Good to see Jerseys in the house." Obama requested that we visited the CA car waiver. Today, she signs that that will be reviewing the request. Review are important . 60 day public comment and hearings. Another annoucement a few mins ago in response to acting solicitor gen has review the NJ vs EPA mercury case. Section 112 of the clean air act? Talk about green jobs in that context. Salute this conference. You can clean and healthy environ green policies create good jobs. Creating green jobs is part of Obama's plan. Save 3-4 mil jobs next couple year incl jobs in range of industries with 90% jobs in private sector. Recovery includes transparency and accountability. Americans can check recovery.gov. Fund would fund spend up quickly. EPA promoting energy star, smart dev $690 mil brownfield grants. Green jobs are no longer a concept, they're reality. Labeling and messaging for stewardship is important. People know the power of green growth. Labor must be a vital partner to our economy. Shares family history. Mother is a postal worker with health challenges and to this day the postal worker paid for her health insurance long after father died in the 1970's. Partnership with labor is vital to the growth.. and something else.. talks faster than I could write. 

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OK now I got to go back to the office.. will post other stories from the conference as soon as I can get a hand on it..

Blogging Green Jobs National Conference (day 1)

I am blogging from Omni Shoreham Hotel in DC the site of national conference. Connection is poor (read: no signal), so this is a delayed blogging. The ballroom, where event is held - is packed. There’s probably more than 500 attendees. Today is the first day of the conference. Line up of speakers for today among others include: David Foster (Blue Green Alliance), Leo Gerard (United Steelworker), Donald Kennedy (Sierra Club), Achim Steiner (UNDP), Larry Cohen (CWA), Denise Bode (AWEA), Peter Lehner (NRDC). Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-5) will also talk.

9:00 David Foster the Exec. Director of Blue Green Alliance give a welcome remarks. Let’s talk to Congress make sure they make a big downpayment on the green economy.

9:19 Leo Gerard, Intl. President of United Steelworkers. He said his parents be upset if he says ‘bullshit’ as his introduction. Thanks some corporation veeps, Al Gore, Gamesa, etc. These corps. understand and understood the one thing in common they represented by United Steelworkers. He’s much happier this year than last year. There’s no free market. All market is regulated. Quoted Apollo Alliance study of investment $100B would create 2 mil green jobs. Talks about relationship with Gamesa. 100% union in America. Think about what we can do if every town and cities have resources, retrofit those buildings. Housing is flat. Some members don’t have jobs. Smart grid allows to move energy without losing much. Create millions of jobs. Fascinating to watch what happens on the Hill, esp. Republicans. There are some Democrats, too. Majority in the room over 30. Quoted FDR. Barack Obama is going to be our FDR. We know where his heart is. Direction pointed in. We know he can’t get there by himself. See labor not as a problem, but as a solution. 58% of manufacturing goods, imported goods from China are from cos. used to manufacture products here. Talks about global warming. Closing by saying that it’s time for Canadian gov. to start defending their workers.

9:42 Don Kennedy speaks. Thanks Leo for BS intro. 2 big probs: global warming, fiscal chilly. Mechanism we can use to solve this probs. New spirit of leadership here. Soon to be expressed by me and you. He’s glad that ‘science is back.’ Welcoming it back. It’s really a new set of players.

9:49 Achim Steiner representing UNEP. UNEP is the first of UN family happens to open office located in Kenya. 2006 met Barack O in Kenya. This meeting is quite extra ordinary. The labor movement is again today is movement of people. What it means to be citizens of global economy. Sustainable economy. The fact today more jobs in RE than gas +oil industry. Green jobs already happening in part because of environment. Climate change. Imagine 30/40 yrs from now there won’t be any commercial fisheries. Ecosystem. Water crisis. This is an outcome of ignorance, arrogance think about what we’re doing today and how we should change course. This moment in America is extraordinary. How the people elected leader such as Pres. Obama. To drive the future of economy. Green eco. recovery package are now all over the world, it’s a global discussion. Whether is Japan, China. Where are the jobs going to come from? There’s fundamental shift. More efficient, less polluting. This is the role UN plays. Roosevelt is quoted. Market is not free forces, never been. FDR is one of the architects of what’s vital in the global eco.

10:06 Larry Cohen intro. Steel workers rapid change team had rally incl. rebirth of workers rights. Begin 1m march to bring back workers rights, free choice act. Clean environment. Talk about Canada, Columbia trade agreement. Fair trade v. sustainable economy. Unite the employee free choice act. They’re related. We all believe in sustainable economy. We believe that what we produce is more important than what we consume. Workers can’t be just another commodity. Workers have rights around the world. 1mil members march is about bring back workers rights. Without workers can’t make green economy a reality. Talk about 2 of CWA’s members work with different cos of why we’re marching today. Good jobs, green jobs we have to work for it. Sustainable eco. is not about protectionist. A lot of this conf. is about good public policy. 1.4 mil people mobilize. Sustainability is what unite us. Barack said that this is our time. Econ recovery is not about jobs. We want green jobs. 

We're waiting for Congressman Keith Ellison, (D-MN). Schedule shows 11am.

11:10: Peter Lehner talks about challenges how challenges also creates opportunities. Good jobs that bring dignity for our family and community. Economy system is part of economy system. Gives example of climate change affecting a lot of us. 51k jobs can be created in mass transit. We need comprehensive policy. Now.

11:18 Keith Ellison was introduced from Montana.. ooops! Should have been Minnesota. Ellison warms up to the crowd. This is an opportunity for all of us to be part of worldwide movement to save our jobs. This is our business. Can't exclude anybody. We can't leave anybody out. Solidify our coalition. It starts from the local community. Start getting the civil rights comm + labor + environment talk about our collective problems. Talk about stimulus package and process. Empower people to get active. You gotta right the bill. Bill is not done until it is sign by the President. Gotta impact this process. Save this economy right now. Reach out and get everybody and everybody make green economy. Thanks the audience for their time.

11: 32 Deniso bode talks about 20% of wind energy by 2030. US tops in wind energy production pass Germany. 25MW can generate enough electricity to power 7M homes. Pres. Obama's vision to double production by 2012 is visible. Now, let's talk about jobs. We're adding jobs even as the econ. sluggish. '07 & '08 adding or expanding 70 new facilities in U.S. Great news for American workers. Every job created in this industry is a new one. Wind projects can be built quickly. Let's work together to get the tools. Together, we can get the job done.

Attendees will go to the Hill for advocacy day (read: grassroots lobbying). And am back to office to take care some biz.

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