Green Jobs: Implications for Green Jobs: Implications for State PolicyState Policy

Academy on State Economic Development Policy

Atlanta, GASeptember 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 WA Green Industry Skill PanelsPanels

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