New Green Jobs Law Will Jumpstart Economy, Provide Training for Los Angeles Workers

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http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/partner/story?id=51257

January 26, 2008

New Green Jobs Law Will Jumpstart Economy, Provide Training for Los Angeles Workers

Drives the Economy, Protects the Environment
Press Release from
East Los Angeles, CA

Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (CA-32), author of the Green Jobs Act of 2007 (Title X of P.L. 110-140), announced the critical role this law will play in jumpstarting a sluggish economy and putting Los Angeles County on a path toward energy independence.

“In the face of an uncertain economy, the clean energy industry is driving job growth, technological innovation, and energy security,” said Congresswoman Solis. “The Green Jobs Act sends a clear message – we must support both this industry sector and our nation’s workers. Together, workers across this country, from East Los Angeles to communities on the east coast, can have good paying; secure jobs which will stay in the United States.”

The Green Jobs Act of 2007 (H.R. 2847) was incorporated as Title X of H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act, an historic energy reform package which sets this nation on a course toward energy independence. This law authorizes $125 million for work force training programs, including veterans, displaced workers, at-risk youth and individuals living under the federal poverty line. It will benefit programs such as the East Los Angeles Skills Center where students are trained to install solar panels.

“Thanks in large part to the investment tax credit and other investments to support renewable energy, we’re seeing phenomenal growth in the U.S. solar industry,” said Ron Kenedi, Vice President of Sharp Solar. “Through these investments our clean tech economy is flourishing, contributing to regional economic development and creating thousands of new high quality jobs. Continued investment such as extension of the Investment Tax Credit and workforce training is critical to ensure a clean energy future and energy independence for our nation.”

A recent report released by the American Solar Energy Society estimates that in 2006, the renewable energy and energy sector generated 8.5 million jobs and nearly one trillion dollars in revenue in the United States. The Green Jobs Act could train 20,000 to 30,000 workers a year.

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