Yvette Pena Lopes, Director of Legislation and Intergovernmental Affairs Blue Green Alliance

Transcription

1 Yvette Pena Lopes, Director of Legislation and Intergovernmental Affairs Blue Green Alliance

2 Blue Green Alliance A strategic partnership between: United Steelworkers Communications Workers of America Laborers International Union of North America Service Employees International Union Utility Workers Union of America American Federation of Teachers Sierra Club Natural Resources Defense Council 8 million members

3 BGA s Mission Working for a more just and equitable society in which human impact on our planet is managed for sustainability. Global warming solutions. Workers rights. Trade reform. Green chemistry.

4 BGA Overview Since June, 2006 BGA has been a strategic partnership of USW and Sierra Club. In the last year, BGA focused on Federal and state Renewable Energy Standard campaigns Public education initiatives, connecting global warming solutions with job creation and trade reform Economic development work promoting green manufacturing 2 National Green Jobs Conferences National and international global warming policy

5 Prepared and Released 19 State Job Reports

6 Illegal Logging in Indonesia Costs Jobs USW and SC file first joint submission with DoC, demanding countervailing duties for illegal logging. Case highlights the case for enforceable environmental standards with direct connection to USW jobs. Support for CVD logging amendment. April, 2008 exchange with Kahutindo the Indonesian Forestry Workers Union.

7 2008 Green Jobs Conference Sponsored by 80 other organizations, businesses, environmental justice organizations, financial institutions, American Wind Energy Association, and universities 1000 participants Key companies ArcelorMittal, British Petroleum, USS, Alcoa, NewPage, Gamesa, Oregon Steel, and Piper Jaffrey Focus on Green Jobs potential of U.S. economy.

8 The Jobs vs. Environment Myth Do environmental regulations cost jobs? Reserve Mining Company, Silver Bay, MN in 1965

9 It s Not Jobs vs. Environment It s both or neither. When companies make environmental investments two things happen, in addition to cleaner plants and communities: New technologies make plants more productive, more energy efficient, and more globally competitive. Environmental improvements create new jobs.

10 What Are Green Jobs? Blue collar jobs with a green purpose Brandy Smith, millwright at Mortenson Construction, installs wind turbines. Betsy Burns, precision grinder for Timken Steel, makes roller bearings for renewable energy equipment.

11 Building a Green Economy Our goal should be to make every job in America a green job. Lou Schorsch, CEO, ArcelorMittal Flat Rolled, North America

12 Building a Socially Responsible Green Economy Green Regulations Cap and trade to price carbon Federal renewable energy standard National efficiency standard CAFÉ Infrastructure & transportation investments, Social Responsibility Domestic content Prevailing wage Corporate conduct standards for labor and environment Access for all Urban investment agenda

13 Green Economic Recovery Report produced by Center for American Progress and U Mass. Released by BGA, its partners, and allies in 34 states Major features 2 years $100 Billion investment 2 million new jobs 4 times as many jobs as investment in oil Reduce US unemployment

14 Economic Recovery $11 billion for smart grid $7.5 billion for renewable energy and transmission-line construction $4.5 billion for energy-efficiency improvements to federal buildings $6.3 billion for local government energy-efficiency grants $2.25 billion for energy-efficiency retrofits for low-income housing $2.25 billion for the HOME Investment Partners Program to retrofit community lowincome housing $5 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program for efficiency in low-income households $510 million for energy-efficiency retrofits for Native American housing programs $420 million for energy-efficiency improvements at the Department of Defense $300 million for Department of Defense research on energy efficiency at military installations $300 million for the appliance rebate program for Energy Star products

15 Economic Recovery Bill Mass Transit and Advanced Automobiles $8.4 billion for transit capital assistance programs $8 billion for Amtrak and intercity passenger rail $300 million for the purchase of more alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles for the federal fleet $300 million in grants and loans for technologies that reduce diesel emissions Green jobs training $500 million for green jobs programs through the Workforce Investment Act

16 The Six Key Strategies Building retrofitting for energy efficiency Mass transit and freight rail Smart grid electrical transmission systems Wind energy Solar energy Advanced biofuels

17 Jobs Created by Each Strategy

18 The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) A Jobs Bill for the Clean Energy Economy ACES sets a cap on large sources of greenhouse gas emissions that declines steadily and hits the following targets: 3% below 2005 levels by % below 2005 levels by % below 2005 levels by % below 2005 levels by 2050

19 Residential Weatherization LiUNA, BGA, Sierra Club $5 billion to expand the Department of Energy s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and meet the Obama Administration s goal of weatherizing one million homes per year. There are currently 38 million low income households nationwide eligible for services through the WAP. Weatherization services save residents about $350 or more on energy costs per year. Every $1 million invested creates 52 direct jobs and 23 indirect jobs approximately 300,000 jobs will be created in the effort to weatherize a million homes per year in the next two years U.S. Labor unions like the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) are on the forefront of this effort; LIUNA is the only union to launch a national program to train local workers in skilled residential weatherization work. LIUNA works with community partners to identify training candidates. Training provides workers with credentials such as Technician/Installers, Weatherization Supervisors and Energy Auditors, as well as access to a network of future employment connections. LIUNA s weatherization program could train up to 10,000 workers nationwide in its first three years, reducing energy bills for several million homes nationwide over the next 10 years. Combined with LIUNA s commitment to training residents of low income communities, these training programs help to rebuild America s middle class and economy.

20 Residential Weatherization LiUNA, BGA, Sierra Club BGA and Sierra Club are working hand in hand with LiUNA in ensuring that these residential weatherization jobs are high-road jobs. High-road jobs: prevailing wage, health care, access to training and job opportunities for residents of low-income communities where the work takes place and contracting processes that support high-road employers and contractors that are ready to take residential energy efficiency work to scale.

21 The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) A Jobs Bill for the Clean Energy Economy Energy Efficiency Building Codes Establishes new national standards, requiring new buildings to be 30% more efficient by 2012, and 50% more efficient by (could save 5% of total energy use in buildings, save consumers $25 billion each year. They would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 150 million tons, the equivalent of taking 28 million cars off the road.) Home Weatherization and Building Retrofit Incentive Program Establishes a program to provide incentives to retrofit homes and office buildings. Low Income Community Energy Efficiency Program Creates a grant program to help non-profit community development organizations provide efficiency and clean energy supplies to low income residents. New Lighting and Appliance Standards Mandates new efficiency standards for lighting products, commercial furnaces, and other appliances. National Energy Efficiency Goal Goal to improve efficiency 2.5%/year through 2030 Natural Gas and Home Heating Oil Efficiency 1/3 rd of allowances allocated to natural gas distribution companies must be used for energy efficiency programs.

22 The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) A Jobs Bill for the Clean Energy Economy Clean Energy Combined Efficiency and Renewable Electricity Standard Requires utilities to meet 20% of their electricity load through renewable energy or energy efficiency by This would set a federal baseline, but a stronger RES would mean more clean energy and more jobs, as our report notes. State Energy and Environmental Development Program Provides 9.5 percent annually to support state efforts on efficiency and renewable energy. Clean Energy Research and Deployment 1.5% of allowances will be annually devoted to fund innovation hubs and the Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy for research, development, and commercial deployment of clean, indigenous energy alternatives. Large Scale Vehicle Electrification and Advanced Vehicle Technology Program Provides allowances to manufacturers to retool and develop advanced vehicle technologies. Clean Energy Manufacturing Revolving Loan Fund Program Provides states with grants to establish a revolving loan program to retool and expand manufacturing facilities for clean energy technology.

23 The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) A Jobs Bill for the Clean Energy Economy State Energy and Environmental Development (SEED) Program Creates a program for each state to establish a State Energy and Environment Development (SEED) Account, to serve as a state level repository for managing and accounting for all emission allowances designated primarily for renewable energy and energy efficiency purposes. Section 132, Support of State Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programs: Distributes emission allowances among states for energy efficiency programs and renewable energy deployment and manufacturing support. At least 12.5% of the allowances are distributed to local governments for these purposes and 0.5% of allowances are distributed for tribal renewable energy programs under Section 133. States are permitted to use up to 10% of their allowances for the nonfederal share of transportation programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as transit and bicycle facilities. Allowances are are available to states for other purposes including 0.5% for building efficiency codes and building retrofits Other allowances not directly allocated to states will benefit state residents and entities, including allocations to benefit electricity and natural gas rate payers, rebates for trade vulnerable industries, and tax rebates for low income households.

24 The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) A Jobs Bill for the Clean Energy Economy Worker Protection and Investment Worker Assistance and Training 0.5-1% of allowances will be allocated to the Department of Labor for worker assistance and job training. Prevailing Wage Protection All federally assisted construction projects will pay prevailing wage rates. Consumer Protection Five provisions included to protect consumers for: electricity, natural gas, and heating oil price increases, protection for low and moderate incomes, providing tax dividends to consumers.

25 The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) A Jobs Bill for the Clean Energy Economy Transition Assistance for High Energy Intensive Industries 15% of all allowances are allocated for distribution to energy intensive manufacturers in 2014 and 2015, with 13.4% of all allowances allocated in each year from Any unused allowances in a year can be carried over to later years, to ensure a sufficient number of allowances are available. The allowances will be distributed to manufacturers based on efficiency paid per unit of output. The distribution is based on sector average efficiency, so any producer that is more energy-efficient than average for its sector will be rebated more than its total compliance costs. These rebates cover direct (emissions from facilities for which facilities need to turn in allowances) and indirect (increased electricity rates) costs. After 2025, ACES gradually phases-out of free allowances based upon determination by the President.

26 The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) A Jobs Bill for the Clean Energy Economy Border Measure Mechanism Coupled with the rebates is a border adjustment program that will take effect for all sectors eligible to receive rebates in On January 1, 2017, and every two years after, the President reports to Congress on any cost increases to U.S. industries caused by the cap-and-trade program and on the amount of free allowances provided to industries in other countries. The report recommends actions to take to address any carbon leakage, such as a border measure or other measures. On January 1, 2018, if no international agreement has been reached that meets set negotiating objectives, the President must establish an international reserve allowance program or border measure. The only way that the President can avoid the requirement to impose the border measure is if he/she certifies that it is not in the national economic or environmental interest to impose it and Congress approves the decision by a majority vote in both the House and the Senate within 90 days.

27 The American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) A Jobs Bill for the Clean Energy Economy Border Measure Mechanism Coupled with the rebates is a border adjustment program that will take effect for all sectors eligible to receive rebates in On January 1, 2017, and every two years after, the President reports to Congress on any cost increases to U.S. industries caused by the cap-and-trade program and on the amount of free allowances provided to industries in other countries. The report recommends actions to take to address any carbon leakage, such as a border measure or other measures. On January 1, 2018, if no international agreement has been reached that meets set negotiating objectives, the President must establish an international reserve allowance program or border measure. The only way that the President can avoid the requirement to impose the border measure is if he/she certifies that it is not in the national economic or environmental interest to impose it and Congress approves the decision by a majority vote in both the House and the Senate within 90 days.

28 Free Trade and the Environment Benxi: Pollution from steel mills blows over residential buildings We can t fix global warming without fixing global trade. How we price carbon will affect where we produce.