$5 a gallon? It's not coming fast enough. And I wouldn't be opposed to a bit of a government push on that matter. Let's say an extra 10 cents/gallon tax (28.4 cents/gallon instead of 18.4 cents/gallon?)
According to John Hofmeister, the former president of Shell Oil, it's highly likely that gasoline prices at the pump will hit $5 per gallon in the summer of 2012, essentially because of the continuing growth of the Chinese and Indian economies, and a probable American continued recovery in 2011.
The immediate effect on the economy would be increase sales of hybrid and electric cars, decrease sales of gas-guzzling SUVs, and a steady creation of green jobs! Use the additional gasoline tax revenue to increase energy efficiency project tax breaks, and we'll see even more of a boom in the residential solar and wind industries.
With the current US gasoline consumption at about 9 million barrels a day, an additional tax of 10 cents per gallon is an extra $1.1 billion a month of revenue that could be used directly to subsidize hybrid car purchases, or solar or wind residential installations. At $5,000 per household, that's about 220,000 households per month who would benefit.
So given that kind of huge economic benefit, what's an extra 10 cents per gallon when the price is going to go from $3 to $5 per gallon?
Call me crazy, but I think it's a good thing. The faster we reduce the consumption of fossil fuels (especially the imported kind), the better for the environment, the economy, and the security of this country. Many people won't be happy, but they'll agree that it's a necessity and it'll help up convert faster to a green economy and energy independence.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
With newfound confidence and IPO dollars, GM hires 1,000 for EV division
GM announced on Nov. 30 that it's hiring 1,000 engineers and researchers over the next couple of years for its electric vehicle division. When was the last time GM announced the creation of high-paying jobs?
This time around, GM is very optimistic, and full of new found confidence. With billions of dollars from a recent IPO, and a single order for 12,000 Chevy Volts from GE, who wouldn't be?
Today's GM is a far cry from the GM of 2 years ago, having done a complete U turn from gas guzzlers to plug-in electric hybrids. It took awhile, but finally it seems that GM is giving itself a chance to grab back its competitive edge, and the #1 position from Toyota.
“GM is going to lead the industry in the adoption of various vehicle electrification technologies, whether its electric vehicles with extended-range capability, like the Chevrolet Volt, or the recently introduced eAssist technology that will debut on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse,” GM CEO Dan Akerson said. “We want to give our customers energy choices other than petroleum and to make the automobile part of the solution when it comes to the environment."
"Deep experience and expertise in batteries, electric motors and power controls will ensure GM provides the best possible electric vehicle choices to customers around the world," Akerson said.
The 1,000 engineering and researh jobs represent a big commitment to EVs on GM's part. At an estimated $100,000 per year per job, it's $100 million a year that GM will spend on these new green jobs. GM has already spent $700 million building the manufacturing infrastructure for the Volt, and is also investing over $400 million in advanced battery technology and powertrain development.
In addition to GM’s investments, suppliers such as LG Chem, utility companies such as DTE Energy and organizations including the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, are investing in Michigan jobs to support Chevy Volt and electric vehicle development.
“The state of Michigan is proud to continue our long partnership with GM as it drives toward a leaner, greener future,” Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said. “As we work to diversify our state’s economy both within the auto industry and outside of it, electric vehicles will play a major role in re-establishing Michigan as the North American center of automotive manufacturing.”
Read the full text of the GM press release on the Green Job Bank.
This time around, GM is very optimistic, and full of new found confidence. With billions of dollars from a recent IPO, and a single order for 12,000 Chevy Volts from GE, who wouldn't be?
Today's GM is a far cry from the GM of 2 years ago, having done a complete U turn from gas guzzlers to plug-in electric hybrids. It took awhile, but finally it seems that GM is giving itself a chance to grab back its competitive edge, and the #1 position from Toyota.
“GM is going to lead the industry in the adoption of various vehicle electrification technologies, whether its electric vehicles with extended-range capability, like the Chevrolet Volt, or the recently introduced eAssist technology that will debut on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse,” GM CEO Dan Akerson said. “We want to give our customers energy choices other than petroleum and to make the automobile part of the solution when it comes to the environment."
"Deep experience and expertise in batteries, electric motors and power controls will ensure GM provides the best possible electric vehicle choices to customers around the world," Akerson said.
The 1,000 engineering and researh jobs represent a big commitment to EVs on GM's part. At an estimated $100,000 per year per job, it's $100 million a year that GM will spend on these new green jobs. GM has already spent $700 million building the manufacturing infrastructure for the Volt, and is also investing over $400 million in advanced battery technology and powertrain development.
In addition to GM’s investments, suppliers such as LG Chem, utility companies such as DTE Energy and organizations including the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, are investing in Michigan jobs to support Chevy Volt and electric vehicle development.
“The state of Michigan is proud to continue our long partnership with GM as it drives toward a leaner, greener future,” Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said. “As we work to diversify our state’s economy both within the auto industry and outside of it, electric vehicles will play a major role in re-establishing Michigan as the North American center of automotive manufacturing.”
Read the full text of the GM press release on the Green Job Bank.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
BrightHome Energy Solutions Joins "Green Jobs - Green NY" Program
BrightHome Energy Solutions today announced its participation in the new Green Jobs-Green New York (GJGNY) program that provides free energy audits and low interest financing to New York homeowners seeking energy efficiency improvements.
The Green Jobs-Green New York program was passed into law in October 2009. It provides New Yorker with access to free and low-cost energy audits, installation services, low-cost financing (currently for residential customers only), and pathways to training for various green-collar careers. The program's goal was to create 14,000 green jobs in retrofit contracting, and another 14,000 indirect jobs in related services. The program is financed through a $112 million fund.
“BrightHome is excited to offer homeowners free energy audits and interest rates as low as 3.49% creating an affordable way to lower their heating bills and be more comfortable,” said Mike Brown of BrightHome Energy Solutions. “We encourage homeowners to take advantage of this opportunity now for maximum savings this winter.”
Free energy audits by BrightHome through GJGNY are available to residential applicants with household incomes less than $209,000. Reduced-cost energy audits will be available to homeowners with incomes up to $418,000.
It is not clear how many of the 28,000 jobs have already been created. The first annual report of the program is silent on the job creation results, but what is clear is that BrightHome Energy Solutions is not hiring. Their website lists 4 open positions posted months ago, in June 2010.
The Green Jobs-Green New York program is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
The Green Jobs-Green New York program was passed into law in October 2009. It provides New Yorker with access to free and low-cost energy audits, installation services, low-cost financing (currently for residential customers only), and pathways to training for various green-collar careers. The program's goal was to create 14,000 green jobs in retrofit contracting, and another 14,000 indirect jobs in related services. The program is financed through a $112 million fund.
“BrightHome is excited to offer homeowners free energy audits and interest rates as low as 3.49% creating an affordable way to lower their heating bills and be more comfortable,” said Mike Brown of BrightHome Energy Solutions. “We encourage homeowners to take advantage of this opportunity now for maximum savings this winter.”
Free energy audits by BrightHome through GJGNY are available to residential applicants with household incomes less than $209,000. Reduced-cost energy audits will be available to homeowners with incomes up to $418,000.
It is not clear how many of the 28,000 jobs have already been created. The first annual report of the program is silent on the job creation results, but what is clear is that BrightHome Energy Solutions is not hiring. Their website lists 4 open positions posted months ago, in June 2010.
The Green Jobs-Green New York program is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
Monday, November 15, 2010
GE makes GM's day
GE just announced that it will purchase 25,000 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles by 2015. The first 12,000 of these will be GM Volts. Other manufacturers will be included in the purchase as their products become available. At an average of $40,000 or more per vehicle, that's at least a $100 million purchase.
“Electric vehicle technology is real and ready for deployment and we are embracing the transformation with partners like GM and our fleet customers,” said GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt. “By electrifying our own fleet, we will accelerate the adoption curve, drive scale, and move electric vehicles from anticipation to action.
GE will also benefit from its own purchase, which will accelerate the deployment of GE's charging stations, and many other GE products used in EVs' manufacturing and operations. Some experts estimate that the EV purchase could pump back $500 million into GE's revenue in the next 3 years.
“We make technology that touches every point of the electric vehicle infrastructure and are leading the transformation to a smarter electrical grid,” Immelt said. “This transformation will be good for our businesses and for our shareowners. Wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles will also drive clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security and deliver economic value.”
GM CEO Dan Akerson said, “GE’s commitment reflects confidence that electric vehicles are a real-world technology that can reduce both emissions and our dependence on oil. It is also a vote of confidence in the Chevrolet Volt, which we will begin delivering to retail customers by the end of this year. We are pleased that the Volt will play a major role in this program, which will spur innovation and benefit our companies, our customers, and society as a whole.”
A GM spokesman said the purchase of 12,000 Volts by GE will not affect deliveries to retail customers: "It's between now and 2015, so the volume is manageable."
FedEx Chairman, President and CEO, and Electrification Coalition member Fred Smith said, “With more than 16.3 million vehicles in operation in 2009, the nation’s fleet can drive initial ramp-up scale in the battery industry and OEM supply chains. By buying these vehicles, GE is helping ramp up production which will help lower the price of vehicles and their components and make electric vehicles more visible and acceptable to the public at large. This is good for GE, good for our economy, and good for our nation.”
US-based EV manufacturers that could benefit from GE's commitment include Tesla Motors, Coda Automotive, Aptera, Bright Automotive, and Smith Electric Vehicles. And more indirectly, engine makers Achates Power and EcoMotors, and charging station maker Coulomb Technologies could also benefit.
A great story for the creation of green jobs, and one in which the government is not involved!
“Electric vehicle technology is real and ready for deployment and we are embracing the transformation with partners like GM and our fleet customers,” said GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt. “By electrifying our own fleet, we will accelerate the adoption curve, drive scale, and move electric vehicles from anticipation to action.
GE will also benefit from its own purchase, which will accelerate the deployment of GE's charging stations, and many other GE products used in EVs' manufacturing and operations. Some experts estimate that the EV purchase could pump back $500 million into GE's revenue in the next 3 years.
“We make technology that touches every point of the electric vehicle infrastructure and are leading the transformation to a smarter electrical grid,” Immelt said. “This transformation will be good for our businesses and for our shareowners. Wide-scale adoption of electric vehicles will also drive clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security and deliver economic value.”
GM CEO Dan Akerson said, “GE’s commitment reflects confidence that electric vehicles are a real-world technology that can reduce both emissions and our dependence on oil. It is also a vote of confidence in the Chevrolet Volt, which we will begin delivering to retail customers by the end of this year. We are pleased that the Volt will play a major role in this program, which will spur innovation and benefit our companies, our customers, and society as a whole.”
A GM spokesman said the purchase of 12,000 Volts by GE will not affect deliveries to retail customers: "It's between now and 2015, so the volume is manageable."
FedEx Chairman, President and CEO, and Electrification Coalition member Fred Smith said, “With more than 16.3 million vehicles in operation in 2009, the nation’s fleet can drive initial ramp-up scale in the battery industry and OEM supply chains. By buying these vehicles, GE is helping ramp up production which will help lower the price of vehicles and their components and make electric vehicles more visible and acceptable to the public at large. This is good for GE, good for our economy, and good for our nation.”
US-based EV manufacturers that could benefit from GE's commitment include Tesla Motors, Coda Automotive, Aptera, Bright Automotive, and Smith Electric Vehicles. And more indirectly, engine makers Achates Power and EcoMotors, and charging station maker Coulomb Technologies could also benefit.
A great story for the creation of green jobs, and one in which the government is not involved!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Ameresco reports stellar growth, creates more green jobs
US renewable energy and energy efficiency company Ameresco’s third quarter earnings per diluted share rose to $0.53 for the recent quarter, compares to $0.30 in last year’s third quarter. The company’s income rose 47 per cent to $12m in the recent quarter from $8.2m the year before.
‘Ameresco produced strong third quarter financial performance by effectively executing on our existing projects and continuing to successfully implement our 2010 business plan,’ said George Sakellaris, president and CEO of Ameresco.
‘We made significant progress on many of our marquee projects. We continue to win business across North America, and this quarter won a bid with the US Navy to improve energy efficiency for two of their facilities in Italy.’
Ameresco’s total order backlog including contracted and awarded projects stood at $1.12bn at the end of the quarter.
It expects to generate between $585m and $595m in revenue for the full year 2010, also predicting EBITDA to be in the range $55m to $57m and net income in the range $27m to $28m. Its earnings forecast per diluted share is $0.68.
On the green jobs front, Ameresco posted a total of 117 jobs in the period 8/1/2010 to 10/31/2010, an increase of 90% compared to 63 green jobs in the previous period 5/1/2010 to 6/30/2010. The company today had 28 open positions.
‘Ameresco produced strong third quarter financial performance by effectively executing on our existing projects and continuing to successfully implement our 2010 business plan,’ said George Sakellaris, president and CEO of Ameresco.
‘We made significant progress on many of our marquee projects. We continue to win business across North America, and this quarter won a bid with the US Navy to improve energy efficiency for two of their facilities in Italy.’
Ameresco’s total order backlog including contracted and awarded projects stood at $1.12bn at the end of the quarter.
It expects to generate between $585m and $595m in revenue for the full year 2010, also predicting EBITDA to be in the range $55m to $57m and net income in the range $27m to $28m. Its earnings forecast per diluted share is $0.68.
On the green jobs front, Ameresco posted a total of 117 jobs in the period 8/1/2010 to 10/31/2010, an increase of 90% compared to 63 green jobs in the previous period 5/1/2010 to 6/30/2010. The company today had 28 open positions.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
SunRun Gets Financing for 1,900 Residential Solar Installations
Residential Solar company SunRun is not your typical solar panel installer. Rather, it's a distributed utility company. They don't sell you the panels on your rooftop, they sell you the electricity these panels produce, at a fixed rate, and are responsible for the maintenance of the panels. They foot the bill, and save you the $15,000 to $45,000 it takes to buy and install the panels; but they have to finance it somehow.
To date SunRun has financed over 6,000 residential installations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. With the new money, they're ready to finance 1,900 more. The new money is the 4th time US Bancorp bankrolls SunRun. US Bancorp and other backers have provided SunRun almost $400 million in financing since 2007.
"We are the only home solar company to have enjoyed an uninterrupted source of project financing, and this steady stream of capital speaks directly to our credibility as a reliable and risk-free alternative to the utility," said SunRun CEO and Co-founder Edward Fenster. "U.S. Bancorp has been a fantastic long-term partner and instrumental in helping SunRun provide affordable and hassle-free solar to thousands of homeowners."
SunRun's growth is phenomenal: 300% year over year. SunRun has about 75 employees, and has a network of 2,500 local installers that employ a total of 2,500 employees.
To date SunRun has financed over 6,000 residential installations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. With the new money, they're ready to finance 1,900 more. The new money is the 4th time US Bancorp bankrolls SunRun. US Bancorp and other backers have provided SunRun almost $400 million in financing since 2007.
"We are the only home solar company to have enjoyed an uninterrupted source of project financing, and this steady stream of capital speaks directly to our credibility as a reliable and risk-free alternative to the utility," said SunRun CEO and Co-founder Edward Fenster. "U.S. Bancorp has been a fantastic long-term partner and instrumental in helping SunRun provide affordable and hassle-free solar to thousands of homeowners."
SunRun's growth is phenomenal: 300% year over year. SunRun has about 75 employees, and has a network of 2,500 local installers that employ a total of 2,500 employees.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
US Bureau of Labor Statistics Publishes Definition of Green Jobs
[Federal Register: September 21, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 182)]
[Page 57506-57514]
Final BLS definition of green jobs. BLS has developed this definition of green jobs for use in data collection in two planned surveys.
Green jobs are either:
- A. Jobs in businesses that produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources.
- B. Jobs in which workers' duties involve making their establishment's production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources.
The BLS approach to identifying each type of green job for measurement purposes is described in more detail below. The planned BLS surveys may identify and count some jobs in both surveys.
- A. Jobs in businesses that produce goods and provide services that
benefit the environment or conserve natural resources. These goods and
services are sold to customers, and include research and development,
installation, and maintenance services. This definition will be used in
the BLS survey of establishments in industries that produce green goods
and services. Green goods and services fall into one or more of five
groups:- Energy from renewable sources. Electricity, heat, or fuel
generated from renewable sources. These energy sources include wind,
biomass, geothermal, solar, ocean, hydropower, landfill gas, and
municipal solid waste. - Energy efficiency. Products and services that improve energy
efficiency. Included in this group are energy-efficient equipment,
appliances, buildings, and vehicles, as well as products and services
that improve the energy efficiency of buildings and the efficiency of
energy storage and distribution, such as Smart Grid technologies. - Pollution reduction and removal, greenhouse gas reduction, and
recycling and reuse. These are products and services that: - Reduce or eliminate the creation or release of pollutants or toxic compounds, or remove pollutants or hazardous waste from the environment.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through methods other than renewable energy generation and energy efficiency, such as electricity generated from nuclear sources.
- Reduce or eliminate the creation of waste materials; collect, reuse, remanufacture, recycle, or compost waste materials or wastewater.
- Natural resources conservation. Products and services that conserve natural resources. Included in this group are products and services related to organic agriculture and sustainable forestry; land management; soil, water, or wildlife conservation; and stormwater management.
- Environmental compliance, education and training, and public awareness. These are products and services that:
- Enforce environmental regulations.
- Provide education and training related to green technologies and practices.
- Increase public awareness of environmental issues.
- Energy from renewable sources. Electricity, heat, or fuel
- B. Jobs in which workers' duties involve making their establishment's production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources. These workers research, develop, maintain, or use technologies and practices to lessen the environmental impact of their establishment, or train the establishment's workers or contractors in these technologies and practices. This definition will be used in the BLS survey of establishments across all industries to identify jobs related to green technologies and practices used within the establishment. These technologies and practices fall into one or more of four groups:
- Energy from renewable sources. Generating electricity, heat, or
fuel from renewable sources primarily for use within the establishment.
These energy sources include wind, biomass, geothermal, solar, ocean,
hydropower, landfill gas, and municipal solid waste. - Energy efficiency. Using technologies and practices to improve energy efficiency within the establishment. Included in this group is cogeneration (combined heat and power).
- Pollution reduction and removal, greenhouse gas reduction, and recycling and reuse. Using technologies and practices within the establishment to:
- Reduce or eliminate the creation or release of pollutants or toxic compounds, or remove pollutants or hazardous waste from the environment.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through methods other than renewable energy generation and energy efficiency.
- Reduce or eliminate the creation of waste materials; collect, reuse, remanufacture, recycle, or compost waste materials or wastewater.
- Natural resources conservation. Using technologies and practices
within the establishment to conserve natural resources. Included in
this group are technologies and practices related to organic
agriculture and sustainable forestry; land management; soil, water, or
wildlife conservation; and stormwater management.
- Energy from renewable sources. Generating electricity, heat, or
Read the entire federal document. See also our forum: what is a green job?
Saturday, August 28, 2010
How Can Governments Stimulate the Creation of Green Jobs?
Recently a friend of mine asked me what the government could do to stimulate the creation of green jobs. He was meeting with state-level officials the next day. I told him that since we are in a free market economy, the first law governing us is the law of supply and demand. No demand, no supply; no supply, no jobs. So a sure way for a government (federal, state or local) to stimulate the creation of green jobs is to stimulate the demand for green products.
Of course, it is also possible to work on the supply side by helping manufacturers in the hope that prices will drop to stimulate demand, but that's a more risky proposition that can end up creating excess inventory. The federal government and some states have attempted to stimulate the creation of green manufacturing jobs by introducing several financial aid programs for manufacturers such as tax breaks or loan guarantees (beneficiaries include Tesla Motors, Calera and BrightSource Energy.) But helping manufacturers boost production does not make consumers want to buy their products. The risk of theses financial aid tools is that production will increase, but inventories of unsold goods will increase also. For these financial programs to be successful, the manufacturers must use them either to lower their prices or become more competitive. Lowering the price of manufactured goods will affect demand in some way, but the cost reduction must reach the consumer to be effective. But it's difficult to achieve when there are intermediaries between manufacturers and consumers such as distributors, retailers, and installers. In addition, it would be hard for the government to legally place obligations on the part of the manufacturers to use the financial aid programs to lower prices; it could be construed as price fixing or manipulation.
There are many ways for a government to stimulate demand, but the three that have been used with most success are consumer incentives, direct government purchases, and government mandates. Some indirect means have been used as well, such as the mandatory reduction of carbon emissions by cars, trucks, power plants and factories.
Consumer Incentives
Consumer incentives have been used extensively in the past few years, and especially the past 2 years. They range from popular tax breaks to allowing hybrid car owners to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes regardless of the number of passengers in the car. The cash-for-clunkers and first-time home buyer programs were some of the most successful. There currently exist federal and state-level incentives for all sorts of home improvements that reduce electricity consumption (insulation, windows, doors). The federal government and most states also offer tax rebates to home owners who purchase wind turbines or solar panels and these tax rebates make the purchase of wind turbines or solar panels very attractive (sometimes reaching 50% of the total cost).
Direct Government Purchases
Governments (federal, state and local) can purchase all sorts of green products for their own use, such as hybrid cars for their fleets, and solar panels or wind turbines for government buildings. Substantial works have also started to make government buildings LEED compliant. There is a great article on GreenTechMedia showing Ten Ways the Feds Are Leading the Green Charge.
Government Mandates
Government mandates fall into 2 main categories:
Of course, it is also possible to work on the supply side by helping manufacturers in the hope that prices will drop to stimulate demand, but that's a more risky proposition that can end up creating excess inventory. The federal government and some states have attempted to stimulate the creation of green manufacturing jobs by introducing several financial aid programs for manufacturers such as tax breaks or loan guarantees (beneficiaries include Tesla Motors, Calera and BrightSource Energy.) But helping manufacturers boost production does not make consumers want to buy their products. The risk of theses financial aid tools is that production will increase, but inventories of unsold goods will increase also. For these financial programs to be successful, the manufacturers must use them either to lower their prices or become more competitive. Lowering the price of manufactured goods will affect demand in some way, but the cost reduction must reach the consumer to be effective. But it's difficult to achieve when there are intermediaries between manufacturers and consumers such as distributors, retailers, and installers. In addition, it would be hard for the government to legally place obligations on the part of the manufacturers to use the financial aid programs to lower prices; it could be construed as price fixing or manipulation.
There are many ways for a government to stimulate demand, but the three that have been used with most success are consumer incentives, direct government purchases, and government mandates. Some indirect means have been used as well, such as the mandatory reduction of carbon emissions by cars, trucks, power plants and factories.
Consumer Incentives
Consumer incentives have been used extensively in the past few years, and especially the past 2 years. They range from popular tax breaks to allowing hybrid car owners to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes regardless of the number of passengers in the car. The cash-for-clunkers and first-time home buyer programs were some of the most successful. There currently exist federal and state-level incentives for all sorts of home improvements that reduce electricity consumption (insulation, windows, doors). The federal government and most states also offer tax rebates to home owners who purchase wind turbines or solar panels and these tax rebates make the purchase of wind turbines or solar panels very attractive (sometimes reaching 50% of the total cost).
Direct Government Purchases
Governments (federal, state and local) can purchase all sorts of green products for their own use, such as hybrid cars for their fleets, and solar panels or wind turbines for government buildings. Substantial works have also started to make government buildings LEED compliant. There is a great article on GreenTechMedia showing Ten Ways the Feds Are Leading the Green Charge.
Government Mandates
Government mandates fall into 2 main categories:
- Governments can stimulate the production of clean energy by mandating that energy/electric production within a state or county includes a minimum of energy produced from clean or renewable sources.
- Governments can also mandate that contractors that bid on state or county jobs utilize some minimum level of renewable energy, or that their truck or car fleets include a minimum of hybrids. A great example of this kind of mandate is the city of Cleveland, OH.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Where are the Green Jobs?
The Obama administration has promised the creation of millions of green jobs in the next few years. Well, it hasn’t started yet… these jobs are nowhere to be seen. And I know what I’m talking about: I’ve been looking for them for over a year.
I have to tell you I’m not a job seeker. I’m self employed and the creator of theGreenJobBank. That’s why I’m looking for green jobs. There are basically two types of places you find them online: a green job board, and an employer website’s career section. There are about 50 to 75 green job boards, so it’s relatively easy to find them. A few Google searches, a few hours of browsing, and voila! . As for employers, (you noticed I didn’t say “green” employer because it’s very hard to define,) we’ll see about them later.
When I started The Green Job Bank in late 2008/early 2009, after a few weeks of crawling the web, I got about 1800 – 2,000 jobs that were less than 60 days old, from many of these boards and dozen of green employers websites . That’s not much, but remember, that was in the middle of the economic crisis. Today, I’ve got just over 7,000. That’s much, much better. 3.5 times more. Yes… but I still don’t feel very good about it… I’ll feel better when it’s 70,000 green jobs, that way we would have some hope that we’re on the right track for millions of green jobs created in the next few years.
It’s interesting to look at what people call green companies, and what companies call themselves green. And it’s highly relevant to the discussion, because the more companies are called green, the more jobs are called green, and the more the Obama administration and a lot of others can claim victory.
Example: is BP (British Petroleum) a green company? They have a solar division operating out or Frederick, MD, called BP Solar. So BP is a green company? I don’t think so. BP Solar is, but it’s such a minuscule part of BP that it accounts for a negligible part of BP’s revenue and number of employees. As a matter of fact, BP Solar decided a few weeks ago to close down the manufacturing side of the operation to relocate it in Asia, and lay-off 320 employees. Only a fraction of the employees will remain in non-manufacturing jobs. In general I would not call any of the big oil companies green just because they invest in some green technologies. For me to call them green, their green activity would have to become a significant part of their revenue (more than 50% in my opinion, but that’s debatable).
At the other end of the spectrum of green companies, we’ve got the ones that are undeniably green: startup companies. Most of them do only one thing, so it’s easy to classify them. BridgeLux, GridPoint, Tesla Motors, Abound Solar, BioFuelBox and many more are typical examples of the new green technology companies. These are the hardcore, 100% green companies, and they create 100% green jobs (yes, even the accountants and the lawyers have green jobs there).
Now here's a question: you’ve got the local contractor who’s putting new windows and siding on your neighbor’s house; he’s using “green” windows, and “green” insulation under the siding. Is that a green company? I don’t think so. Yes, the contractor is using green products, but he would use any material that makes him money. And your neighbor needed new windows and siding. He would have replaced these windows anyway, green materials or not. He’s being opportunistic, good to the environment, he’s going to save some money on electricity, and pay less taxes. So everybody’s happy; Obama, you, me, your neighbor and his contractor. But the contractor’s company is not a green company, and the contractor’s job is not a green job.
So where are the green jobs? 7,000 isn’t close to a good start…
I have to tell you I’m not a job seeker. I’m self employed and the creator of theGreenJobBank. That’s why I’m looking for green jobs. There are basically two types of places you find them online: a green job board, and an employer website’s career section. There are about 50 to 75 green job boards, so it’s relatively easy to find them. A few Google searches, a few hours of browsing, and voila! . As for employers, (you noticed I didn’t say “green” employer because it’s very hard to define,) we’ll see about them later.
When I started The Green Job Bank in late 2008/early 2009, after a few weeks of crawling the web, I got about 1800 – 2,000 jobs that were less than 60 days old, from many of these boards and dozen of green employers websites . That’s not much, but remember, that was in the middle of the economic crisis. Today, I’ve got just over 7,000. That’s much, much better. 3.5 times more. Yes… but I still don’t feel very good about it… I’ll feel better when it’s 70,000 green jobs, that way we would have some hope that we’re on the right track for millions of green jobs created in the next few years.
It’s interesting to look at what people call green companies, and what companies call themselves green. And it’s highly relevant to the discussion, because the more companies are called green, the more jobs are called green, and the more the Obama administration and a lot of others can claim victory.
Example: is BP (British Petroleum) a green company? They have a solar division operating out or Frederick, MD, called BP Solar. So BP is a green company? I don’t think so. BP Solar is, but it’s such a minuscule part of BP that it accounts for a negligible part of BP’s revenue and number of employees. As a matter of fact, BP Solar decided a few weeks ago to close down the manufacturing side of the operation to relocate it in Asia, and lay-off 320 employees. Only a fraction of the employees will remain in non-manufacturing jobs. In general I would not call any of the big oil companies green just because they invest in some green technologies. For me to call them green, their green activity would have to become a significant part of their revenue (more than 50% in my opinion, but that’s debatable).
At the other end of the spectrum of green companies, we’ve got the ones that are undeniably green: startup companies. Most of them do only one thing, so it’s easy to classify them. BridgeLux, GridPoint, Tesla Motors, Abound Solar, BioFuelBox and many more are typical examples of the new green technology companies. These are the hardcore, 100% green companies, and they create 100% green jobs (yes, even the accountants and the lawyers have green jobs there).
Now here's a question: you’ve got the local contractor who’s putting new windows and siding on your neighbor’s house; he’s using “green” windows, and “green” insulation under the siding. Is that a green company? I don’t think so. Yes, the contractor is using green products, but he would use any material that makes him money. And your neighbor needed new windows and siding. He would have replaced these windows anyway, green materials or not. He’s being opportunistic, good to the environment, he’s going to save some money on electricity, and pay less taxes. So everybody’s happy; Obama, you, me, your neighbor and his contractor. But the contractor’s company is not a green company, and the contractor’s job is not a green job.
So where are the green jobs? 7,000 isn’t close to a good start…
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