From: Green Economy Task Force <kate@sbnphiladelphia.

org>
Subject: Green Jobs News, Resources and Events
Reply: kate@sbnphiladelphia.org

GREEN JOBS NEWS, RESOURCES, & EVENTS

Dear Leanne,

Please don't tell my dad, but I still haven't weatherized my

house. What am I waiting for? I keep putting off an energy audit
because it pains me to think what the up-front cost for fixing all
the problems would be. Embarrassed? Yes. Alone? Not at all.
Last week I joined Green Economy Task Force Policy Co-Chair,
Natalia Olson-Urtecho, on an action-packed tour of Capitol Hill.
In addition to meeting with both Senators Casey and Specter,
we were thrilled to be in the Capitol Building when HOME STAR
Kate Houstoun (right) with
("Cash for Caulkers"), bipartisan energy efficiency legislation, John Siegel of Quanta
passed the House. Technologies (center) and
Sen. Specter
If HOME STAR passes the Senate, what will it mean for
procrastinators like myself? First I would go to an approved retailer or contractor and they
would give me a discount before work is conducted. Then they would submit
documentation of the purchase or work to the U.S. Department of Energy for
reimbursement. If I opted for the "Gold Star" program, I would get a rebate of up to
$3,000 if I conducted a whole-house energy audit and made improvements that increased
my home's overall energy-efficiency by at least 20%. Then I would also be eligible for an
additional $1,000 rebate for each additional 5% efficiency improvement-that's up to
$8,000 in rebates!
With the up-front financial burden reduced, imagine thousands of Philadelphians like
myself insulating their ceilings, replacing those Florida windows, and installing Energy Star
appliances. Not only would we put people back to work and improve the resale value of our
homes, but we would have more money in our pockets from energy savings to spend at
local businesses. You don't need to be a green business to understand this would be good
business! Read more about HOME STAR below.
Fondly, Kate

In This Issue NEWS

News

Events
Action Alert: Support Legislation to
Resources Institutionalize Industry Partnerships in
PA
Join our list
Pennsylvania's Industry Partnership (IP) program is in
danger of once again getting caught up in the partisan
rancor around the state's annual budget process. As you
know, HB 2230 passed the Pennsylvania House
unanimously in mid-March. But almost two months after
the legislation passed the House, HB2230 still has not been
considered by the Senate's Labor & Industry Committee.
HB 2230 should be voted on by the full Senate, thereby
showing the legislature's ability to quickly enact common-
sense bipartisan legislation that strengthens Pennsylvania
businesses and expands opportunity for workers.
Your help is needed. Below are the contacts for the key
Senators that sit on this Committee from Southeastern
Pennsylvania:
Christine M. Tartaglione (D)
Senate District 2
Philadelphia (part) County.
TELEPHONE: (717) 787-1141
E-MAIL ADDRESS: tartaglione@pasenate.com
Mike Brubaker (R)
Senate District 36
Chester (part) and Lancaster (part) Counties.
TELEPHONE: (717) 787-4420
E-MAIL ADDRESS: mbrubaker@pasen.gov
Mike Folmer (R)
Senate District 48
Berks (part), Chester (part), Dauphin (part),
Lancaster (part) and Lebanon Counties.
TELEPHONE: (717) 787-5708
Charles T. McIlhinney Jr. (R)
Senate District 10
Bucks (part) and Montgomery (part) Counties.
TELEPHONE: (717) 787-7305
E-MAIL ADDRESS: cmcilhinney@pasen.gov
Lawrence M. Farnese Jr. (D)
Senate District 1
Philadelphia (part) County.
TELEPHONE: (717) 787-5662
Without immediate action, the clock could wind down and
HB 2230 may not be passed before the Legislature
recesses the current session.
"Pennsylvania's industry partnerships are a proven and
valuable workforce and economic development tool that
brings together businesses and workers in similar
industries for the common purpose of improving the
economic security of workers and the competitiveness of
businesses in certain industries," said Secretary of Labor &
Industry Sandi Vito.
"The industry partnership initiative is a nationally
recognized, award-winning initiative that advances
workers' skills, increases employees' wages and improves
our state's position as a national workforce and economic
leader.
This is exactly the type of program we must continue to
support in order to strengthen our economic recovery."
Information about the legislation, including talking points,
a sample letter to your legislator and contact information
for the senators can be obtained at www.workforcepa.com.

"Cash for Caulkers" Passes the House

By a vote of 246 to 161 the House of Representatives
voted to approve the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of
2010 (H.R. 5019), otherwise known as the "cash for
caulkers" program, which authorizes creation of a national
energy retrofit program for American homeowners last
Thursday, May 6th. The vote marks a significant milestone
in the progress of the bipartisan HOME STAR legislation,
although the authorization bill must be matched by the
Senate, and followed up with an appropriation bill to
allocate funds for the $6 billion program.
The $6 billion Bill includes homeowner incentives (rebates)
for up to $3000 to purchase American made energy saving
products (such as windows, doors, and insulation) and
rebates up to $3000 for households that cut their energy
consumption by 20% with an additional $1000 for every
subsequent 5% up to $8,000. The program will save 3
million Americans $200-$500 a year on energy costs,
amounting to billions of dollars in savings over the next
decade, and will create 150,000 to 200,000 jobs.
More information is available at www.efficiencyfirst.org or
read about it on the FrumForum.
Find out who your Congressional Representatives are and
how to contact them by clicking here.

LAUNCH: Business United for Conservation

Industry Partnership

Last week over 50 senior level managers and stakeholders,

and over 35 companies in the engineering, landscape,
construction, architecture, and finance firms attended the
first meeting of Business United for Conservation Industry
Partnership (BUC). Businesses showcased their stormwater
management expertise, heard the City's "Green Streets"
stormwater transformation plans from Howard Neukrug,
Director of Watersheds for the Philadelphia Water
Department, and discussed gaps and opportunities in their
industry. Survey results from businesses showed an
overwhelming interest in the Industry Partnership, a
unified passion for conservation, and an eagerness to
connect with other businesses.
The meeting, held at the Delaware Valley Regional
Planning Commission, brought together businesses that
provide green infrastructure or stormwater management
services to identify barriers to the industry's growth,
workforce needs, business-to-business procurement
opportunities, industry best practices, and future
technology. Among being a business for business resource,
BUC aims to be a catalyst in the industry's growth with the
City of Philadelphia's ambitious plans to be the greenest
city in the US.

GreenWorks First Annual

Progress Report
Join the Mayor's Office of Sustainability
as they present their first annual
progress report on the GreenWorks
Philadelphia Plan. Be part of a
community event that celebrates the
greening efforts of so many
organizations, individuals, neighborhood
groups, departments, City Council members, and
companies.
Community Host: Asociacion de Puertorriquenos en
Marcha (APM)
Location: Eastern North Philadelphia
Date: May 26 2010, 10:30 am
For more details contact sarah.wu@phila.gov.

Join the Renew Growing Greener Coalition

There is an urgent need for a renewed commitment to
Pennsylvania's communities and natural resources.
Growing Greener has transformed Pennsylvania by
empowering communities to protect working farms and
conserve special places, clean up rivers and streams,
create and improve parks and trails,and revitalize cities
and towns. After a decade of success, the funding sources
that support Growing Greener are nearly gone. Unless
action is taken, the good work made possible by the
Growing Greener programs will come to an end in 2011.
For more information, or to sign on to the Letter of
Support visit www.renewgrowinggreener.org.

Clean Energy Company Opens in Bucks

County
Y-Carbon, a company with the unique capabilities to alter
carbons used in the alternative energy and energy sectors,
has opened its doors in Bristol Township, creating ten new
research and development positions. The company plans
to hire an additional fifteen employees. Y-Carbon, Inc.,
which was founded based on technology developed at
Drexel University's College of Engineering, has also created
two spin-off companies, Y-Energy and Y-Water, both of
which will also locate in Bucks County. Jim Horan, CEO of
Y-Carbon, estimates that each additional company will
employ 25 workers within 18 months.
Y-Carbon Inc.'s expansion was made possible with a
$150,000 Small Business Innovation Research grant
through the Recovery Act, part of over $18 million made
available to support small business innovation, research,
development, and deployment of clean energy
technologies.

West Philly Students Advance in $10 M Auto

X Prize Competition
Remember those West Philly High students who beat out
the likes of MIT engineering students to advance in the
Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize a few months
ago? (If you don't here is a link to the article in the
Inquirer) Well they have done it again. Facing an initial
field of 111 teams from some of the most innovative
and successful business and academic leaders in the world,
the West Philly High team is one of only 28 that are still
standing in the $10 million competition to build cars that
achieve over 100 MPG.
In June the team will have a large group of their students
at the Michigan International Speedway for the Knockout
Stage of the X PRIZE. The students have worked incredibly
hard to get their cars to the competition and they can use
your help.
For more information on how to help, please contact Ann
Cohen at acohen@evxteam.org or visit www.evxteam.org.

Support a Federal Energy Efficiency

Standard
PennFuture is seeking your help to pass a federal energy
efficiency standard. "Promoting energy efficiency has been
one of PennFuture's priorities for years. [They} played a
key role in the passage of Pennsylvania Act 129, which is
requiring electric utilities to work with consumers to reduce
electric demand. This will create new jobs in the energy
efficiency sector, save consumers and businesses money,
and cut global warming pollution."
"It's time for the rest of the country to take these steps. In
the climate change bill passed last June, the U.S. House of
Representatives included an Energy Efficiency Resource
Standard (EERS) that, if passed, would save Americans
nearly $750 per household by 2020, and $3,900 per
household by 2030. The Senate is now considering such
legislation.
For more information about this important legislation, or to
show your support, click here.

MiND TV Feature on GETF Stakeholder

Charlie Szoradi, a GETF Stakeholder and the owner of
GreenandSave, has been featured in a piece on Mind
TV. A 'green' architect, Charlie completely transformed his
family's energy inefficient 1960s ranch house into one of
America's most energy independent homes, while
maintaining the look and feel of a traditional
residence. The video features a complete tour of the house
and provides tips that every family can use to make their
own home healthier and more energy efficient.
Click here to view Part 1, or here to view Part 2.

EVENTS

Pennsylvania Partners Employment,

Training & Education Conference
Pennsylvania Partners, an association of representatives
from the State's 23 Workforce Investment Areas, will be
hosting their 26th annual Employment, Training &
Education Conference from Wednesday May 19th through
Friday May 21st in the Hershey Lodge, Hershey,
PA. Participants will be challenged to think beyond
traditional jobs and look towards a new economy with a
strong emphasis on clean energy and environmental
preservation. It will provide an opportunity to enhance the
current partnerships between local workforce investment
boards, state and federal government partners, educators
and trainers, business, labor and other workforce
development professionals. The conference offers
opportunities to exchange ideas, knowledge and
experiences to inspire creativity, uncover new approaches,
and drive innovation.
For more information, or to register for the conference,
click here.

Submit Your Session Proposals for the

National Brownfields Conference
The 14th National Brownfields Conference is headed to
Philadelphia on April 3-5, 2011. This is the largest, most
comprehensive conference focused on cleaning up and
redeveloping abandoned, underutilized, and potentially
contaminated properties in the nation. The best part is -
REGISTRATION IS FREE!
With more than 100 educational sessions, the conference
offers knowledge building, networking, and business
development opportunities for beginners and experienced
professionals. This year, conference organizers are
particularly interested in new ideas related to green jobs,
community engagement and environmental justice, the
business of brownfields, green technology and emerging
solutions, planning for community revitalization, and
sustainability.
To submit your session proposal by the deadline of July 2,
2010 go to www.brownfields2011.org. For more
information please contact Julie Butler at
jbutler@icma.org.
Share Your Thoughts About New Green
Space in Philadelphia
GreenWorks Philadelphia Plan calls for the creation of 500
acres of new green space in the city by 2015. Well here is
your chance to share your thoughts about the future of
green space in your neighborhood. Community meetings
will be held by PHS, Penn Praxis, the Penn Project for Civic
Engagement, and the Mayor's Office of Sustainability from
Tuesday May 25th through Tuesday June 22nd. These
meetings will help the City develop an appropriate action
plan to meet this significant and worthwhile goal.
Learn more about where and when you can attend a
meeting here.

Strategic Doing: A Tool for Effective

Partnerships
Do you have a bias for action as you navigate the
alignment of economic and community development
strategies among stakeholders, funders, contributors and
policy makers? Are you looking for a more effective way
to support your community's economic recovery through
effective collaboration? More and more local areas and
states are using a process called Strategic Doing to plan,
implement, manage, and evaluate for maximum results -
whether the end goal is a career pathways initiative, a
recovery act green jobs project, or the development of a
regional industry sector strategy.
Click here to access a comprehensive suite of resources on
Strategic Doing on the Workforce3One website that
includes: a 45-minute pre-recorded presentation; a white
paper, templates and other introductory resources; and in-
depth participant and facilitator guides that further develop
the themes in the pre-recorded presentation.

RESOURCES

Duke Foundation Issues RFP on Energy

Efficiency Retrofit Policies and Programs
The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has announced a
call for proposals related to innovative, scalable strategies
for energy efficiency retrofit programs or policies that
address the existing building stock in the United
States.The foundation will invite full proposals based on
pre-proposals, with grants ranging from $100,000 to
$350,000 each. Up to a total of $3 million in grants will be
awarded.
Applicants must be U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.
For more information and an online application from, visit
the DDCF Web site: www.ddcf.org/retrofits.

Webinar About Employer-Based Strategies

for Helping Disadvantaged Job Seekers
Successful public-private partnerships have been created
around the country that improve job placement and
retention of hard-to-employ, disadvantaged populations.
Learn about these programs on an upcoming webinar
presented by the US DOL. On Tuesday, May 18th at 2pm,
workforce3one.org will host a webinar titled, "Employer-
Based Strategies for Helping Disadvantaged Job Seekers
Obtain and Maintain Employment." They will examine
strategies used by workforce development and public
welfare agencies to engage employers in hiring and
retaining disadvantaged populations.
For more information, or to register for the webinar, click
here. Registration is limited so sign up today.

PA Energy Development Authority

Announces $16 Million Funding for
Advanced Energy Projects
The Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA)
will open a $16 million solicitation for innovative, advanced
energy projects and for businesses interested in locating
their advanced energy operations in this Commonwealth.
Eligible projects may include solar energy; wind; low-
impact hydropower; geothermal; biologically derived
methane gas, including landfill gas; biomass; fuel cells;
coal-mine methane; waste coal; integrated gasification
combined cycle; demand management measures, including
recycled energy and energy recovery, energy efficiency
and load management; and clean, alternative fuels for
transportation.
Guidelines may be viewed and downloaded from the PEDA
web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us. Applications must be
submitted online at www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us.
Applications will be accepted through 4 p.m. June 15,
2010.

Get Your Entry Ready for the Career Videos

Challenge
"Nice to meet you, what do you do? For many, this is one
of the first conversations we have when meeting someone
new. So now that we've met, tell us about your job."
The US Dept. of Labor is inviting members of the public to
produce and submit short (1 to 3 minute) videos focusing
on the daily activities, necessary knowledge, skills, and
abilities of one of 15 high-growth occupations. This
includes Energy Auditors, Carpenters and Wind Turbine
Service Technicians to name a few. The top three videos in
each field will be eligible for a $1,000 prize, so tell them -
What do you do?
For more information about the contest click here.