This is The Source for July 11, 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 JULY 11
Making It Here Kicks Off. Making It Here 2012: Manufacturing Our Energy Future kicks off today in Cleveland. The conference is bringing together representatives from more than 130 companies and organizations including Lincoln Electric, Rockwell Automation, Alcoa and ArcelorMittal.
Extreme Weather Explained. A new study requested by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) determined man-made climate change can be blamed for some of the extreme weather events seen in 2011. In particular, the new study declared global warming made the heat wave seen in Texas “20 times more likely” than it was in the 1960s.
Thank Your Math Teacher. As the need for skilled manufacturing workers continues, colleges and nonprofits are considering ways to ensure applicants have the needed math skills including “a good grasp of fractions, decimals and basic trigonometry.”
National and International Blue-Green
Corn prices are spiking thanks to a drought in the Midwest. CNN Money has more.
Malaysia is taking steps to develop a “green manufacturing” plan. As part of this effort, the Malaysian Reserve reports, “companies in the local manufacturing sector will be encouraged to issue accurate accounts of their greenhouse gas emissions.”
Reuters says a new study by Bloomberg New Energy Finance determined, “China was the main contributor to a 24 percent rise in new global investment in clean energy in the second quarter.”
The rail industry will hire 5,000 veterans, according to an announcement made by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The Secretary believes “it was only logical to use returning military members' skills on the national rail system," The Hill reports.
According to Reuters, the U.S. Navy has “unveiled a major update of its energy policies ashore… calling for improved efficiency, greater conservation and increased use of renewable power to cut energy consumption in half at bases worldwide by the end of the decade.”
The Hill says “the renewable fuel standard (RFS) for transportation fuel is becoming another proxy battleground between Republicans and Democrats in the renewable energy debate.”
To the States
According to the Chicago Tribune, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn Tuesday authorized the sale of $1.5 billion of bonds in order to fund road, rail and mass-transit projects.
The Iowa Renewable Energy Jobs 2020 coalition Tuesday said it wants to create at least 20,000 additional renewable energy jobs by 2020 in the state and save Iowans at least $1 billion a year in energy costs. The Iowa City Press-Citizen has more.
CleanTechnica takes a look at a report examining state investment in bicycle and pedestrian projects.
Blue-Green Links
Reuters: Manufacturing slows emerging market growth - HSBC survey
Fuel Fix: Potential loss of tax credit becalms wind industry
Hill: EPA official predicts new rule to be approved by court
NPR: Weekly Standard: Unions' Political Spending Explodes
Los Angeles Times: Fed up with both parties, unions to hold own rally in Philadelphia
Examiner: Higher brightness LEDs for energy-efficient general lighting
Politico: Clean coal tech is ready, but there’s a catch
Platts: Congressional Republicans target clean energy loan guarantee programs
Politico: Group nixes ice display to avoid coming under fire
New York Times (AK): Alaska: Groups Sue Over Drilling in Arctic Ocean
NWI Politics (IN): Union leaders object to right-to-work rules
mLive (MI): See 'first of many' solar panel installations on public buildings in Grand Rapids
WTOP (VA): U.S. transportation bill key for Appalachia roads