green jobs

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a new funding opportunity under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to expand solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar heating and cooling (SHC) system installer training. The closing date for applications is July 30, 2009. continue

Patrick Konopnicki has a question:

As Director of Career and Technical training for Virginia Beach I am trying to help train a green workforce. Can anyone point me to curriculum in this arena as these seem to be 21st century skills for all students and adults i.e. sustainability etc.

Please put your suggestions as a comment so everyone can see them.

by Ken Moore, MD
Alderman at Large
Franklin, Tennessee

The City of Franklin, Tennessee has long been recognized as a desirable place to live because of its respect for history, its vibrant economy, and its educational excellence.

Just this year it was recognized by the National Historic Trust as a “top twelve” destination in America; Southern Living Magazine also rated Franklin one of the top ten in the nation for best small town, and Business Week Online named our city the best in Tennessee to start a small business.

However, with the associated rapid growth, issues of a lag in infrastructure and congestion have become more of an issue.

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Here is Van Jones, Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, with  Sara Loveland of DC Greenworks, on the site of a green roof installation. They introduce green roofs and discuss the grant funding the work. If building owners along a corridor who already have to replace their roof membranes put up the money for that, the city will add on a green roof, cutting energy expenses some 30%, cooling the city, mitigating stormwater, and training people in how to do the work.  Green roofs in this case mean green jobs, environmental, economic, engineering and energy-saving benefits, and a potential food source: one solution to many problems.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iYIY9XHOUg&feature=player_embedded]

A “National Town Hall on our Energy Future” is happening nationwide this Saturday on college campuses across the US. Sponsored by Focus the Nation, it will focus on identifying regionally appropriate energy solutions and accelerating their deployment. Building on last year’s successful gatherings, they will incorporate students, local residents, local businesses, and government officials, with both educational and interactive events. The ultimate aim is to energize citizens to take part in determining the future of their communities in the areas of green jobs development, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.

You are invited to participate. Here’s a map of all the events. Click to read the article in full.