Using Green Energy to Cope with the Recession

Author: Kellie Bartoli

Open a newspaper or turn on the TV over the past year, and two things are sure to bombard you: “going green” and the recession. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) certainly seemed to notice the trend, as evidence by her latest proposal, S.224, the “Green Jobs and Infrastructure Act of 2009.” 

The bill aims to invest in national green technology and create green jobs. According to Stabenow, “…We can create good-paying, middle class American jobs. This legislation will invest in green technology, innovation and production, here at home, to ensure we don’t move from a dependence on foreign oil to a dependence on foreign technology.”

Well played, Senator. Bringing together hot topics and the hunger for jobs has garnered much attention for the bill, not to mention outspoken support from Green For All, the Corps Network, the Center for American Progress and many others.

The collaboration doesn’t stop there. Recently, Stabenow led 18 Senators in the drafting of letters to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, the Senate Appropriations Committee – and one Mr. Barack Obama.

In her letter  to the then president-elect, Stabenow writes: “This investment would create millions of new jobs in the immediate future, help end our dependence on foreign oil, rebuild our manufacturing sector, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions…”

S.224 certainly backs up Stabenow’s words. The bill has some mighty objectives for the next year alone, including $2.3 billion in residential and commercial energy savings, $56.55 billion in federal investments in energy efficiency and green-collar jobs, $120 billion in industry revenue, and 334,00 direct and 908,600 indirect jobs. Listen carefully and I think you can hear cheers from the unemployment line.

Now I know what you’re thinking: “Oh really? I’d like to see that happen.” Well, the bill’s creators anticipated your question, and extensively listed their goals and how to achieve them. 

The 13-page proposal features four key points, the first of which is “Clean Technology Manufacturing Incentives Program.” Under this provision, manufactures would receive loans to produce or improve clean technology and low carbon products and operate more efficiently. This alone would help rebuild American manufacturing and in turn, create at least 250,000 manufacturing jobs and up to 725,000 indirect jobs. And keeping with the times, loans will be given with “priority to those facilities that are located in regions with the highest unemployment.”

The second point in the plan is the research and development of advanced batteries. Nearly $1 billion is appropriated to the production of battery technologies like lithium ion and hybrid electric systems.

S.224 also calls for a “green jobs” training program, and sets aside $6.25 million to provide grants to non-profits and other organizations to train workers on energy efficiency and technology.

Finally, under the energy efficiency and conservation block provision, cities and states can earn grants to promote and develop alternative energy usage and efficiency. This has all the makings to kick start countless projects nationwide and the potential to create 60,000 construction, 24,000 manufacturing and 183,000 indirect jobs – and it comes with a $10 billion price tag.

 Whether the bill passes is anyone’s guess but with Stabenow’s legislative track record, my money’s on her.