One of the campaign promises that Barack Obama made that just sounded great had to do with the creation of green technology jobs. Frankly, what’s not to like about new high-paying, highly-skilled jobs that help the United States recover from our dangerous addiction to oil? Green technology is a way for us to clean up the environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the pace of climate change, as well as prepare American workers for a brave new world.
Where will the green tech jobs come from?
Some of the new jobs will be jobs that are “saved” from the failing auto industry. Now that the government is the largest shareholder in Detroit, consumers can finally expect some of the green products many have been craving for years. But there’s an even greater initiative afoot.
The Obama-Biden comprehensive New Energy for America plan claims that 5 million new “green collar jobs” will be coming online.
The plan calls for a $150 billion investment over 10 years which take the US from being an eco-friendly slacker to somewhere near the head of the pack. In the process, workers in traditionally “non-green” jobs will be fitted with brand new “green collars” through continuing education and re-training.
Green collar jobs can give a badly needed boost to the “Rust Belt”
Rust belt states like Ohio and Michigan will gladly welcome re-training of manufacturing workers. Both states boast labor pools with high skill levels who have watched their trades fall in demand.
The Obama-Biden plan calls for 1 million Hybrid Plug-in vehicles to be put on the roads 2015. He hopes these cars will reach a maximum mpg of 150. That would lower volume of imported gasoline dramatically, while putting Americans to work. Many of these vehicles will be built in re-tooled factories in Rust Belt cities. This is great news for towns like Brook Park, Ohio home of the Ford Cleveland Engine Plant No 1, which will re-open. This adds 250 high paying jobs to a town with plenty of auto workers and a history in the production of the automobile.
These workers will be responsible for producing the next generation “EcoBooster” engine, a great new eco-friendly car engine.
“The launch of EcoBoost is the big milestone in Ford’s commitment to deliver affordable fuel-efficient cars and trucks to millions of customers,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Global Powertrain Engineering. “The EcoBoost V6 is going to achieve the fuel economy that our customers demand, while delivering even more of the performance that they want.”
But it won’t just be auto industry jobs that need “green collar” workers. You can expect major growth in the solar, wind, and alternative energy industries. These industries have been experiencing rapid growth, and with increased demand could blossom into real job creators.
Many green collar jobs won’t require great technical skill. That should be a bonus for people who are out of work and nearly out of unemployment benefits.
“You can employ a lot of people very quickly with off-the-shelf technology like caulk guns,” said Jones, founder of Green for All, an economic development group. “This isn’t George Jetson stuff.”
Depending on which direction the Obama administration goes, either through taxes or incentives, people are much more likely to consuming alternative energy in the next few years than any time in history.
Mandated fuel efficiency requirements, carbon taxes, and incentives have all been discussed. In the next few weeks, it’s likely that President Obama will outline more details of this expansive programs.
The future of green collar jobs looks bright.
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