MakeHeat

The Obama administration’s progressive support for renewable energy will result in about 1.9 million green collar jobs, according to a new report published by three U.S. universities. It will also elevate the average household income by more than $1,000 and America’s GDP by $111 billion by 2020.

This sets Obama on track to create 5 million green (not just renewable energy) jobs over the next decade. Granted, he made this promise early in his campaign, all the way back in the spring of 2008. At that point he planned to spend $150 billion total to stimulate the green economy.

via Renewable energy policy to result in 1.9M jobs, study says | VentureBeat.

“… Homeowners in British Columbia will soon be able to reduce their home energy costs with new solar technology. The Government of Canada is investing $400,000 in the Solar Hot Water Heating program through the ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat initiative. The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources, and Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, announced the investment and launched the program today at the Kelowna Solar Workshop.

“Our Government’s investment in this program will make it easier for homeowners to reduce their energy costs – putting more money in the pocket books of Canadians,” said Minister Raitt. “Not only will this project protect our environment, but this green energy technology will also help stimulate the economy and create jobs for Canadians.” …”

Natural Resources Canada: Government of Canada Invests in B.C. Solar Energy Program | SYS-CON UK.

“… Schott, which abandoned an initial public offer in Germany in September due to the global slump in stocks, has filled its first year orders from the New Mexico plant, Fine said. The plant can make 200 megawatts worth of solar troughs a year.

“The second half of 2009 will be better than the first, and the first half of 2010 better still,” Fine said.

Schott North America expects to upgrade capacity a further 200 megawatts in July and can add more assembly lines if needed.

“We can keep latching them on, up to a total of six lines and 1,500 jobs,” he said. …”

Schott Expects Rebound in Solar Equipment Orders on U.S. Aid – Bloomberg.com.

There are jobs out there, but is there anyone trained to do them?  It appears that venture capitalists are funding a lot of the renewable energy market, unfortunately there’s a dearth of people who can take advantage of it. “… . “Workforce development, if done rapidly and in a timely fashion, is really going to be the linchpin for getting renewable energy technology to where it needs to be.”

Doña Ana Community College is interested in creating new technical programs to train energy technicians, but it will have to come up with the funding, said H. Vince Thomas, who spoke on behalf of the college.  
 - Greenfield Community College in Greenfield MA is also starting a program. [ed.] 

http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_11614311

Photo Credit: Gothenburg Observer

Some encouraging news, despite the politics being what they are in our great Capitol:

“… The solar industry “will likely create more jobs than any other green segment,” with plenty of positions for people with more advanced knowledge of solar energy, says Mike Hall, president of Borrego Solar Systems. …”

“… There will be no shortage of work in brownfields reclamation, green building construction, improving public transportation, creating alternative energy fuels, building energy efficient appliances and homes and installing fuel-efficient heating or cooling systems, Llewellyn adds.

This work needs all skill sets — unskilled laborers, supervisors, public relations, environmental scientists, architects and urban planners. And there will be “increasing opportunities for lawyers, MBAs, public policymakers and others whose education includes specialization in sustainability issues.”

Quoting Van Jones, founder of Green for All, Llewellyn says whether it’s designing, building, installing or marketing — there will be jobs for “PhDs to Ph Dos.” And with President Barack Obama’s renewable energy initiatives, we might just see one of the greenest job initiatives in history. …” 

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20090202/BUSINESS01/902020317/1003/BUSINESS

See also:
Work’s a Bitch and Then You Make It Work: 6 Steps to Go from Pissed Off to Powerful

[ed.] Having recently found my own job in peril, it’s good to see this could be a “jumping off point”.