Green Economy
With increasing concerns over climate change and the availability of traditional fossil fuels, Americans have been talking about the potential of the green economy. Many believe green economic development is a key to growth and job creation, while also helping to diversify our energy supply and improve environmental quality.
What is the green economy? While there is no set definition, it is commonly accepted that a green economy achieves environmental sustainability while seeking to maintain economic performance. Key areas include are clean and renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, reduced emissions and waste, conservation of natural resources, and ecologically friendly practices. Green economy aims to internalize the environmental costs and benefits of economic activities.
Critical to a green economy are green jobs, diverse positions that span multiple titles, skills and workplaces. They include researchers, scientists, engineers, electricians, landscapers, builders, roofers, technicians, factory workers and white-collar professionals alike. According to one recent estimate from The Pew Charitable Trust (Pew), over 65,000 new or existing businesses and over 750,000 new or existing jobs qualify as green; estimates for potential jobs lie in the millions.
Given the regional nature of job markets and economic development, Councils of Governments (COGs) have an important role to play in building the green economy and developing partnerships with other regional groups. As the green economic focus gains prominence, regions that embrace a green economy can obtain a competitive advantage.
Clusters and Economic Development
States that are leaders in the green economy: California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Washington and others.
The Brookings Institution's proposal for regional energy research centers.
California Economic Strategy Panel report on the state's green economy. Information about San Diego's initiative.
Cleantech clusters: Read about efforts to stimulate these clusters in Oregon and Seattle.
The National Climate Prosperity Project is a new nonprofit doing regional-level work to promote green development.
The Renewable Energy Policy Project has researched the potential for developing wind turbine manufacturing throughout the country, especially in the Midwest. State specific reports include: Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri and others.
Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission's (Philadelphia, PA) economic development strategy concerning with green issues.
Climate Prosperity Handbook prepared for the International Economic Development Council, includes strategies for sustainable community development.
Green Jobs
The Greenforce Initiative: Advancing Greener Careers and Campuses - The National Wildlife Federation and Jobs for the Future have joined forces on a two-year project that will spur green jobs education, innovation and training at community colleges in the United States.
Pew report study the nationwide potential for green job growth; many other reports exist.
The Center in Wisconsin Strategy.
The National Governors Association's report exploring the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's impact on green jobs.
The State of California has created a Green Collar Jobs Council within the state's Workforce Investment Board.
The American Solar Energy Society produced a thorough report on green collar jobs featuring Colorado as a case study, available here.
Project Title:
Financial Support for Chieftain Biofuels
Project Type:
Green Business Loan
Project Location:
Logan, OH
Contact:
Misty Casto, Executive Director
Buckeye Hills HVRDD
Detailed Project Information:
Traditional business loan programs can help promote green regional competitiveness. The Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District has been using its Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to assist local businesses since the 1980s, through direct lending and participation in other investment sources to create or save over 1,500 jobs in total. In the green economic realm, Buckeye Hills has been involved with a team that includes the local Small Business Development Center, the Ohio Department of Development, and private banks to lend financial support to Chieftain Biofuels LLC, which supplies biofuels to the local schools, county and other customers. Chieftain is a spinoff of Chieftain Energy and one of the region?s few renewable energy generators.
After the initial package for the firm was established, an opportunity arose in 2008 that would allow Chieftain Biofuels to become a major supplier for a national fast food chain. Again, the same entities returned to the table for a second round to determine the best financial package for the expansion. Ultimately, Chieftain Biofuels will be producing 10,000 gallons of biofuel per day and servicing 700 stores. Buckeye Hills has been involved in both phases for an amount totaling $550,000, helping to create or save 27 jobs. Chieftain is located in Logan, OH, the same location as the new Hocking College Energy Institute.
Green Affordable Housing Forum
Project Type:
Green Economy
Project Location:
Washington, DC
Contact:
George Nichols, 202-962-3355
Leah Boggs, 202-962-3336
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG)
Detailed Project Information:
On March 3, 2009, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), along with Enterprise Community Partners Inc. and a number of other sponsors, held a Green and Affordable Housing Forum that featured speeches, presentations, panel discussions, exhibits, and networking opportunities. For more information on this project, please click HERE.
Regions and localities are beginning to think about the role they can play in stimulating the growth of the green economy. Washington, DC, for example, has completed an inventory of green collar jobs, while nearby Montgomery County, Maryland, has started a Green Economy Task Force.
Regions may have different niches, depending on natural resources, and proximity to workers and markets, and public policy drivers. Some regions are inventorying the potential to create new green jobs in both existing and new businesses. Through green procurement programs, training, expedited permitting, and public private collaborations, regional councils can catalyze significant activity.
AmericanGreenJobs.net is a website designed by thee US Department of Labor and the US Environmental Protection Agency for green jobs information and training.
The US Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy maintains extensive resources with information on green careers here.
The Department of Energyhas extensive funding opportunities under the Recovery Act.
The Apollo Alliance and Environmental Defense compiled a list reviewing over 200 different green job types.
The US Department of Labor announced the availability of grant funds for green workforce development projects with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.
Call For Projects
Share Your Regional Council's Green Economy Experiences:
We invite you to share your experiences with others interested in green economy projects. Click HERE to submit your best practices to NARC through our brief online survey.