Resolution: Green Jobs for the Future/Global Warming

my shortened easy to read at precinct version

Whereas, reliance on fossil fuels threatens our national security and our economic security;

Whereas, global warming is an urgent crisis threatening our quality of life and our children’s future;

Whereas for the first time in 30 years Minnesota’s unemployment rate is worse than the U.S. rate and our economic growth is lagging the nation.

Whereas “green collar” jobs could bring over 18,000 jobs in wind, solar, geothermal and biomass industries;

Whereas, Minnesota can create economic opportunity and thousands of good paying, family-sustaining green jobs by enacting a comprehensive strategy for building the wind, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, and energy efficiency industries in our state;

(A version that specifically excludes incineration and biomass has been endorsed by the DFL Progressive Caucus)

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Minnesota Legislature in 2008 pass a Green Jobs for the Future plan, including the following legislation: a carbon cap, solar incentives, state loans for schools and local governments to go green and efficient and the creation of green manufacturing parks, low emission vehicle standards, green workforce training and green company recruitment.

Credit should be given to Senator Ellen Anderson

Whereas, reliance on fossil fuels threatens our national security and our economic security;

Whereas, global warming is an urgent crisis threatening our quality of life and our children’s future;

Whereas for the first time in 30 years Minnesota’s unemployment rate is worse than the U.S. rate and our economic growth is lagging the nation.

Whereas “green collar” jobs could bring over 18,000 jobs in wind, solar, geothermal and biomass industries;

Whereas, Minnesota can create economic opportunity and thousands of good paying, family-sustaining green jobs by enacting a comprehensive strategy for building the wind, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, and energy efficiency industries in our state;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Minnesota Legislature in 2008 pass a Green Jobs for the Future plan, including the following legislation:

A carbon cap which limits and steadily reduces global warming emissions, allows for trading, and auctions all permits to emit, with proceeds to benefit the public and mechanisms to protect poor and middle income families from a disproportionate share of energy costs;

Incentives for solar manufacturing and installation on public and private buildings, requirements for utilities to buy solar, and tax credits or rebates for individuals and small businesses installing solar;

State loan funds for schools and local governments to install wind, solar, geothermal or energy efficiency improvements; incentives for homeowners and renters to install insulation, new windows, and other energy efficiency improvements; and high green building standards;

Creation of Green Manufacturing Parks, which will attract green companies especially to areas which have lost manufacturing jobs;

An aggressive state marketing and recruitment plan to bring wind turbine, solar, and other manufacturers to Minnesota;

Investment in public transit and adoption of “clean car” global warming pollution low emissions standards for new car manufacturing;

Workforce training for green collar jobs and requirements for prevailing wages or living wages for publicly subsidized jobs.

Talking points for Green Jobs for the Future Resolution

The Problem
Global warming threatens our future and the security of future generations. Minnesota’s fish and wildlife, forests, and farms could be endangered by global climate change unless Minnesota and the rest of the world cut our greenhouse gases.

Minnesota imports more electricity than any other state and our nation is dependent on unstable hostile regimes for much of our oil. Energy independence means producing energy from clean, renewable sources like wind, solar, and biofuels which can all be made in Minnesota. Keeping our energy dollars local supports good-paying Minnesota jobs.

Our economic growth and personal income in Minnesota were in the top ten in the nineties; now we’re lagging behind. Minnesota has lost thousands of manufacturing jobs since 2000; some Minnesota communities have lost 30% of their manufacturing jobs.

The Opportunities
In 2007 Minnesota led the nation with the passage of the 25% by 2020 Renewable Energy Standard. Passage of a national Renewable Energy Standard is estimated to create tens of thousands of “green collar” jobs in Minnesota in wind, solar, geothermal, energy efficiency and biomass, according to studies by the Blue Green Alliance and Renewable Energy Policy Project in the areas of construction, manufacturing, management, maintenance, financing, legal, and other job categories.

In 2007 the Minnesota Legislature also adopted goals of reducing greenhouse gases 15% by 2015, 30% by 2025, and 80% by 2050. Now the specific policies need to be adopted that will enable our state to meet those goals.

Minnesota stands on the brink of a new industrial revolution in new green technologies that will power our economy while reducing global warming emissions pollution. We need strong state policies to take advantage of our natural strengths in wind and solar potential, agricultural products, a well-educated and well-trained workforce, and excellent higher education research capacity, the nation’s largest installer of wind turbines, and a manufacturing base creating a supply chain.