This is The Source for March 23, green jobs news every day from the BlueGreen Alliance. Don’t forget to “tell your friends” about this great resource. You can sign up here.
THREE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR MARCH 23
Green jobs growing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — for the first time — released an estimate of the number of green jobs in America. Their tally says 3.1 million people are employed in the production of good and services that benefit the environment. Manufacturing had the largest number of green jobs in the private sector, with about 461,000. David Foster, the Executive Director of the BlueGreen Alliance, released a statement yesterday saying it was time to "double down" on the American clean economy.
American manufacturing on the rise. A new report predicts seven sectors that make up approximately $200 billion worth of imported goods from China will shift work to the U.S. by the end of the decade. This change alone could lower unemployment by as much as 2 percentage points, and would represent between 600,000 and 1 million jobs in manufacturing.
A world first in the North Sea. The world's first six-megawatt offshore wind turbine was erected in the North Sea this week. Belgium has a goal to get 13 percent of its energy from renewable energy sources by 2020.
National and International Blue-Green
Scotland plans to launch a 103 million pound ($163.2 million) investment fund for the development of renewable energy, Reuters reports. The funds are coming from a Fossil Fuel Levy fund.
The Wall Street Journal reports the federal government will require contractors to recycle e-waste.
President Obama finished his four-state energy tour yesterday. The Hill has more.
The Wall Street Journal says the National Labor Relations Board is preparing to promotional campaign to inform nonunionized workers of their rights.
Sen. John Thune told the Hill’s Transportation blog Thursday that the Senate’s GOP members will likely support a short-term extension of transportation funding.
To the States
According to the Pittsburg Post-Gazette, the rivers in Pennsylvania and its surrounding states are some of the America’s most polluted waterways.
Bridge Magazine says right-to-work proposals have sparked a “political frenzy in Michigan.”
Seattle City Light completed the installation of its first Community Solar project in Washington, Power Engineering reports.
The Burlington Free Press looks at how governmental incentives are stimulating the installation of renewable energy projects in Vermont.
Connecticut is receiving funds from the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce rooftop solar panel installation costs, the New Haven Register says.
Blue-Green Links
Bloomberg Businessweek: EPA Considering Waiving Summer Fuel Rules for Pennsylvania
CNN Money: The oil industry's plan to lower gas prices
China Daily: Coal-rich city eyes green economy
Detroit Free Press: Higher gas prices not hurting auto sales yet
E&E News: Obama's pro-pipeline moment unites irate Republicans, splits alarmed enviros
Guardian: Do you believe in climate change?
Hill: EPA chief: No date yet for power plant carbon rules
Hill: The GOP’s assault on labor rights: What is happening in the states?
Hill: Senate to vote on bill killing oil tax breaks
Los Angeles Times: Bill Gates: Increase funding for clean energy research
New York Times: U.S. Inches Toward Goal of Energy Independence
New York Times: Student Communicators Tackle Deadly Plastics, Dirty Water
New York Times: The Siren Song of Energy Efficiency
Politico: Obama in Oklahoma: Make southern Keystone 'a priority'
Triple Bottom Line: Green Jobs is Future of Employment
Wall Street Journal: Some Clean-Energy Loans Raise Flags
Washington Post: Environmentalists puzzled by GOP efforts to cast Obama as overzealous on their issues
Arizona Daily Star (AZ): EPA sued to speed pollution fixes at Navajo power plants
Duluth News Tribune (MN): Regional EPA chief touts Duluth redevelopment
Fox 23 (OK): Local clean energy company grows with President's approach
Record (NJ): Clean energy video nets grand prize win for Northern Highlands seniors in NJ Go Green Challenge