Greenbacks for Green:

Current and Potential Government Funding

Opportunities for Green Initiatives

Anne OlsonDirector, Minnesota Workforce Council Association

How are Stimulus Funds Being Used?

Source: www.recovery.gov

Agency Announced Made Available Paid Out

$ ( Thousand )

Department of Health and Human Services

$875,790 $911,679 $685,349

Department of Labor $205,432 $486,708 $430,070

Department of Transportation $531,252 $465,119 $82,553

Department of Education $1,284,148 $879,645 $46,245

Department of Agriculture $38,390 $55,994 $39,382

Environmental Protection Agency $131,404 $136,855 $14,372

Department of Housing and Urban Development

$135,765 $135,757 $10,578

Department of Treasury $5,190 $5,190 $5,190

Department of Energy $223,469 $139,653 $3,255

National Science Foundation $0 $25,113 $499

Corporation for National and Community Service

$559 $1,462 $32

Department of Justice $46,545 $53,424 $26

National Endowment for the Arts $0 $1,883 $22

Department of Veterans Affairs $13,853 $0 $0

Social Security Administration $211,280 $0 $0

General Services Administration $118,107 $0 $0

Department of State $730 $0 $0

Department of the Interior $11,863 $70 $0

Department of Defense $7,950 $0 $0

Department of Commerce $0 $894 $0

Railroad Retirement Board $3,682 $0 $0

US Army Corps of Engineers $10,419 $0 $0

Total $3,855,828 $3,299,447 $1,317,573

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Source: www.recovery.gov

The economic-recovery package that President Obama signed into law contains more than $20 billion for investment in a cleaner, greener economy, including $500 million for green job training.

So what exactly are "green jobs"? They provide products and services that use renewable energy resources, reduce pollution, and conserve energy and natural resources.

Investing in green jobs also means keeping up with the modern economy. At a time when good jobs at good wages are harder and harder to come by, we must find new, innovative opportunities.

According to the Council of Economic Advisers, green jobs pay 10 to 20 percent more than other jobs. They also are more likely to be union jobs. Building a new power grid, manufacturing solar panels, weatherizing homes and office buildings, and renovating schools are just a few of the ways to create high-quality green jobs that strengthen the foundation of this country.

More green jobs can also mean more money in consumers' pocketbooks at the end of the month. They can reduce your electric and heating bills, leaving you more disposable income for other things.

GREEN JOBS: Obama Administration’s Perspective

Source: www.whitehouse.gov

Source: National Governor’s Association

National ReportsSeveral national reports have emerged over the past two years focused on green jobs. This list is by no means definitive. It is a sampling of the best.  Living Cities, a collaboration of 21 leading foundations and financial institutions, published an excellent analysis of green jobs in urban areas called Green Cities: How Urban Sustainability Efforts Can and Must Drive America’s Climate Change Policies.  The United States Conference of Mayors and the Mayors Climate Protection Center’s Current and Potential Green Jobs in the U.S. Economy takes a deep statistical dive into the potential of the green economy.  The Apollo Alliance and Green For All advocates for green jobs and has produced a “blueprint” for cities in Green Collar Jobs in America’s Cities: Building Pathways out of Poverty and Careers in the Clean Energy Economy.  Another Apollo Alliance-sponsored report. Greener Pathways: Jobs and Workforce Development in the Clean Energy Economy, looks at the potential for jobs in energy efficiency, wind, and biofuels.  National Council for Workforce Education and the Academy for Educational Development has focused on community colleges and their role in helping create a green workforce in  Going Green: The Vital Role of Community Colleges in Building A Sustainable Future and Green Workforce. Many Minnesota schools have green programs that are listed in our Green Your Education section.

Source: www.deed.state.mn.us

Green Job Resources ~ Minnesota-based Reports

The state employed a consulting group to take a good, long look at Minnesota’s potential for green jobs. Here is the result: The Green Jobs Task Force .  The Mayor’s Initiative on Green Manufacturing produced the lengthy Green Cities Green Jobs report in 2008 that explored the potential for manufacturing and product opportunities in the metropolitan area.  The Center For Rural Policy and Development offers a study of the alternative energy potential of Greater Minnesota in Minnesota's Commercial Alternative Energy Industries: Production, Policies and Local Economies (Dec. 2005).

Source: www.deed.state.mn.us

Resources for Individuals