Check out this report [PDF] from Duke University, completed in conjunction with Environmental Defense Fund and a coalition of labor unions. It is on the economic benefits of energy recycling. This is Chapter 7 of an on-going series on Manufacturing Climate Solutions that is focused specifically on those green technologies that can benefit the U.S. manufacturing sector.
Green jobs, to be sure, but not in the Van Jones sense where the green pulls the job, but in the sense that businesses who seek to be green can boost their profitability and protect existing jobs.
To be sure, there’s a fair amount in here about our company, but I think the conclusions are generalizable, as is the political benefit to be gained from “strange bedfellows” of environmentalists and rust belt industries (and their employees). Worth the time to read.
Making buildings more efficient: rationalizing retrofit markets
Making buildings more efficient: looking beyond price
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Jay Alt Posted 12:40 pm
03 Mar 2009
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EDiamondFalk Posted 3:57 am
06 Mar 2009
The report only looks at a fragment of the work that we have done, and is yet to be done! Check out LessCarbonMoreJobs.org for an interactive look at the green manufacturing jobs in your area!
Emily Diamond-Falk
Climate Communications Manager
Environmental Defense Fund
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vbstenswick Posted 3:23 am
07 Mar 2009
Match the 30% tax credit for geothermal heat pumps for new residential construction. Along with the federal tax credit of 30%, this would give homebuilders a very strong incentive to put in geothermal heat pumps and not a fossil fuel heating system.
Use part of the stimulus package to fund one $3000 grant per legislative house district for homeowners who are replacing their heating system with a geothermal system to follow the Canadian Office of Energy Efficiency guidelines. Many contractors are not familiar with these guidelines, and install systems that are too large. I have analyzed my system and agree with the Canadian guidelines.
Make low interest loans available for homeowners installing geothermal systems.
As far as I know, most geothermal systems are manufactured in the US. Also, installation of the loop field is labor intensive. An added benefit is that with enough systems installed, it drives down the price of natural gas. This will make CHP more affordable and combined cycle power plants more affordable, reducing the cost advantage of coal.
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