Stimulus Bill Funds Still Not Reaching Cleantech

Stimulus Bill Funds Still Not Reaching Cleantech

The stimulus has had an underwhelming impact on the cleantech sector. Very little of the $36.7b of The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) allocated $36.7b to the Department of Energy (DOE) has gone to cleantech. Nuclear waste cleanup projects and state governments have received most of the money to date. Cleantech funding has been negatively impacted by delays at the state level and states reallocateing funds to address shortfalls in state budgets.

Senators Seek ‘Buy American’ / ‘Hire American’ Provision For Clean Energy Projects in Stimulus Plan

Senators Seek ‘Buy American’ / ‘Hire American’ Provision For Clean Energy Projects in Stimulus Plan

In the wake of a new report revealing that a clean-energy grant program in the stimulus has paid out more than $1 billion to foreign manufacturers, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Bob Casey (D-PA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Jon Tester (D-MT) urged the Obama administration Wednesday to suspend the program indefinitely until the law can be fixed so that funds only flow to projects that will create jobs in the United States.

Are You Ready for the EPA, January 2010, GHG Reporting Requirements?

Are You Ready for the EPA, January 2010, GHG Reporting Requirements?

Companies with facilities emitting or products related to GHGs may consider taking the following initial steps to evaluate appropriate measures related to the first time ever requirement that they begin monitoring their emissions of GHGs.

People are Confused About Green Jobs

I’ve noticed that most people tend to have a narrow view of green jobs, usually based on what industries or occupations they’re most familiar with. Few people have an inclusive view of green jobs. It reminds me of the story about the blind men who each feel a part of an elephant and then come to believe that they know what an elephant is. But, of course, their interpretations are all limited by not being able to see or feel all the parts of the elephant. Our interpretations and definitions of green jobs seem to have those same limitations.

More Jobs Require Green Skills or a Green Mind-set

More Jobs Require Green Skills or a Green Mind-set

For over four years, I’ve monitored and posted positions that were either hard-core green jobs such as energy or environmental engineers, jobs that had a tint of green to them like a carpenter with a PV installer’s license or positions at companies with a strong record of sustainability such as a human resources opening at UTC Power. More often than not, the positions that were advertised did not emphasize the position’s green attributes. However recently, I have noticed that businesses and non-profits too, are now listing positions with some green requirements. I believe this is a result of several factors.

Renewable Energy Investment Bounces Back in Second Quarter

New investment in the worldwide clean energy sector in the second quarter of 2009 has already surpassed that in the first quarter by a third, with several weeks still to go in Q2, according to analysts at New Energy Finance. However, this is in comparison to a disastrous first quarter, which saw investment down 44% from the fourth quarter of 2008, and down 53% from the peak in the first quarter of 2008. Overall, new investment is expected to finish 2009 between US$95 billion and $115 billion, a drop of between 26% and 39% on last year’s total of $155 billion, says New Energy Finance.

The 13 Most Needed Licenses and Certifications in This New Green Economy

Stephen Hinton, of Hinton Human Capitol has compiled a list 12 licenses and certifications that he thinks will be in demand as the green initiatives in the stimulus start to be implemented and cleantech investments increase. See his list.

Finding a Green Job in a Crap Economy – Should You Relocate?

How to Find a Job In This Crap Economy. Allison Hemming, author of Work it! How to Get Ahead, Save your Ass and Land a Job in any Economy!. and owner of Hired Guns, a talent agency that places creative professionals in high profile positions recently gave some career advice for Flavorwire, How to Find a Job In This Crap Economy [Ask an Expert]. She gave lots of great advice. However, the tip she provided that will stand out for people looking to making a move to a green career covers the issue of relocating to find working in a green field.

Which Country Has The Greenest Stimulus Package? Updated June 1, 2009

The US is not the only country looking to renewable energy as a way to boost its economy by providing opportunities for increased investment, building low carbon efficiency into the infrastructure and creating millions of jobs. Australia, The European Union, South Korea, China, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, France and the United Kingdom