This is The Source for August 21, 2012, 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.
TOP THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW FOR AUGUST 21
More Pink Slips. Clipper Windpower in Cedar Rapids, Iowa announced it is cutting 174 employees from its workforce company wide. How many workers will lose their jobs before Congress finally renews the Production Tax Credit for wind energy?
Global Climate Action. Australia’s Climate Commission released its third major report on climate change which declared “the world is moving to tackle climate change.” As part of the report, the Commission determined “nearly 850 million people in 33 countries will soon be living in economies with a carbon price or similar arrangement.”
Auto Standards Coming Soon. President Obama is expected to soon sign auto efficiency standards requiring vehicles to get 54.5 mpg by 2025. These standards, according to a report released by the BlueGreen Alliance earlier this year, will create 570,000 jobs by 2030. Check out a map of where the jobs will end up here (also fuel savings annually can be found here).
ISSUE IN-DEPTH: PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT
In additioin to the news about the layoffs at Clipper Windpower mentioned above, some of the articles, editorials and letters to the editor published today related to the Production Tax Credit for wind energy include:
- Denver Post (CO): Wind industry pushes for renewal of tax credit
- Omaha World-Herald (NE): Is Iowa presidential vote riding on the wind?
National and International Blue-Green
Politico reports the House passed a $383 million disaster aid package “to help tide over cattle and sheep operations affected by this summer’s severe drought.”
The National Journal reports the Christian Coalition and Young Republicans are launching a national Young Conservatives for Energy Reform campaign in order to engage “Republicans on the goals of cutting oil use, backing alternative energy and clean-air regulations, and fighting climate change.”
To the States
Evansville Courier & Press looks at the debate happening in Indiana over the affect of the state’s new "right-to-work" law.
The Patriot Ledger looks at why some believe Quincy, Massachusetts is “fertile ground for wind turbines.”
Ohio was recently ranked as one of the top ten states for clean energy jobs, according to the Vindicator.
Mississippi Public Radio says the state’s furniture industry is “turning around” due to several companies moving their jobs from overseas to the state.
Bloomberg Businessweek: China says US energy projects violate free trade
Hill: Obama hypes clean energy in Iowa, Colorado radio ads
Washington Post: Regulations a rising economic burden to manufacturers, report says
Hill: EPA brief explains decision to reject industry challenge to biofuels rule
Washington Post: Can natural gas help tackle global warming? A primer.
Scientific American: Food Waste from Starbucks Turned into Useful Products
Daily News (NC): Solar panels extend Marine Corps green efforts
Omaha World Herald (NE): Critics: federal reEnergize expensive with little payback in Nebraska
Commercial Appeal (TN): Sierra Club, longtime environmental organization, spurring change, getting things done