Green Jobs: Implications for State Policy Academy on State Economic Development Policy Atlanta, GA September 5, 2008

Defining Green Jobs “Green-collar jobs are living- wage, career track jobs that contribute directly to preserving or enhancing environmental quality.” --Green-Collar Jobs in America’s Cities “Green Jobs are jobs in the primary industries of the green economy that promote environmental protection and energy independence.” --WA CTED

What are Green-Collar Jobs? Look a lot like jobs in traditional industries Largely middle-skill – more than H.S., less than B.A. required The job creation potential is enormous Most clean energy jobs offer living wages and career pathways Many are difficult to offshore

WA Climate Action and Green Jobs Bill Links a green-collar jobs initiative and greenhouse gas reduction strategies in a single piece of legislation. Includes (1) labor market analysis of the kind and quality of green jobs in demand; (2) partnerships of key stakeholders to develop strategic plans for closing skills gaps for green jobs in specific industries; (3) and a fund to pay for training and other supports for green- collar workers

WA Green Industry Skill Panels

MA Green Jobs Bill Creates the MA Clean Energy Technology Center to control a $43M investment fund The Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs is authorized to spend: –$1M for seed grant program for clean energy companies – $1M for workforce development grant program –$100,000 for study of clean energy labor market, energy efficiency opportunities for state property, etc. –$1M for pathways out of poverty initiative

MN Green Jobs Legislation Adds development of green economy to criteria for economic development assistance to businesses. Creates a Green Jobs Task Force that includes multiple agencies and stakeholders Tasked with creating a statewide action plan to optimize the growth of the green economy, which will include an analysis of business opportunities and needs; labor force needs related to market analysis; an inventory of current labor and business assets

State Financing for Energy Efficiency Retrofits at a Broad Scale Models exist to cover upfront costs of retrofits, capture energy savings, and reduce energy costs. Potential to be an enormous job creator