Jones: Green industry is about to bloom

By Will Richmond
Fall River Herald News
April 23, 2008

Direct link to article online.

Fall River --

Most are familiar with the concept of blue- and white-collar jobs, but Van Jones would like to add to add a new color to that wardrobe.

Building on the country’s burgeoning interest in all things green, Jones wants to expand the nation’s interest in green-collar jobs.

The founder and president of Oakland, Calif.-based Green For All wants to train more people with the skills necessary to manufacture items such as wind turbines and solar panels, as well as installing those products.

Jones said a move in that direction is the right step because green industries are the one part of the nation’s economy that is sure to grow. He views Massachusetts as one of four states poised to capitalize on the market due to a location that makes it perfect to harness wind energy.

Jones also said improving home weatherization, especially in this corner of the country, can help offset the effects of higher energy costs.

By making homes more energy efficient, Jones said, the cost savings will in turn make lower living costs less and help those struggling to pay ever-increasing bills.

“We’re saving the polar bears, but we’ve got to save grandma too,” Jones said. “This is social level environmentalism, and that is something ordinary people can relate to.”

Jones, after implementing his program in the Oakland area, found that youths are ready to jump at the types of jobs being offered through green industries. He said that since August, 50 to 60 people have gone through a nine-week solar enrichment program to learn how to install solar panels on people’s homes.

“Most people would assume African-American or Latino kids are not interested in green jobs, but that’s not the case. ... They’re shocked someone’s telling them what they can do because they’re used to telling people what not to do,” Jones said. “But they’re hearing green job and once they get involved they begin to understand that it helps with health levels.”

They also are put on a path toward becoming electricians and other trades leading participants on a green pathway away from poverty. Doing so, Jones said, has gained support from labor unions and building councils, which face declining membership numbers.

Jones’ ideas have earned an audience with presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and he will be going to the Arctic with Al Gore in July.

While Massachusetts may be poised to reap the benefits of an increased focus on green industries, Jones said to do so will also take an acceptance of local government officials willing to create funding mechanisms to offset the cost of installing the products and homeowners who may have to fit a large bill up front as they wait years for the cost savings to be realized.

As an example, Jones said the city of Berkley, Calif, allowed homeowners to pay for solar panels attached to their homes through property taxes. By doing this, Jones said the panels then belong to the property rather than the homeowner, making the idea more appealing to people who may be looking for short-term ownership.

“We want to give everyone the tools and training to retrofit a country,” Jones surmised.