Legislation that would create and save millions of jobs across the US by building a clean energy economy has stalled, while nations like China are forging ahead, the BlueGreen Alliance has reminded legislators.
The US alliance, a coalition of union and environmental groups, kicked off a ‘Job’s Not Done Tour’ this week. The 30-city bus tour will run until 3 September.
Larry Cohen, president of the Communications Workers of America (CWA), a member of the alliance, said: “By failing to take action on these important clean energy policies, we are missing a huge opportunity to create good jobs now. Currently we are 16th in the world in the percentage of citizens with access to broadband. Expansion will not only create jobs, save Americans money and make our country more efficient, it will lead to the sustainable communities that are such an important part of our future.”
JOBS DRIVE The US is not in the fast lane when it comes to green job creation.
The initiative aims to demonstrate nationwide support for creating clean energy jobs, including manufacturing clean energy technologies, building the 21st century broadband network, building a smart grid transmission system and making our homes and commercial buildings more efficient.
AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka said earlier this month that the US needs a comprehensive approach to energy and climate issues, “one that will invest in our future and create good jobs. It is vital to the national security, economic, and environmental interest of the nation.”
Michael Langford, president of the Utility Workers said: “Building a smart grid that transmits cleaner, renewable energy will create good jobs, and we need to take action to make those jobs a reality now.
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I will be graduating from a Green Jobs program for Veterans the week after next and the program has been an complete failure and a waste of tax payer money since grants from the federal government were used to fund the program. Not one veteran in the program has been able to secure employment in the solar industry which was the basis that folks enrolled in the program that is delivered by the local community college. In essence, the program has been nothing more than the college parading Veterans around and making it appear that the school is doing something good. Our congressman has been scheduled to attend graduation ceremonies and what a treat that will be!