Monthly Archives: March 2012
March 30, 2012
Note: This post was originally published on Clean Technica
By Silvio Marcacci
Green jobs employed 3.1 million people across the United States in 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported Thursday.
This figure represented 2.4 percent of all jobs nationwide that year, was spread across the country by location and sector, and is the first set of solid federal data defining the size and scope of “green jobs,” which until now have been quantified only by individual states or policy organizations.
Beyond comprising a major slice of the US economy, green jobs also dwarfed fossil fuel industries. National Journal reports there were only 783,000 jobs in the oil, gas, and coal-mining industries during January 2010 (the most recent month available from BLS).
March 26, 2012
Note: This post was originally published on CleanTechnica
By Silvio Marcacci
Regional transmission organizations (RTO) may be the most important factor that you’ve never heard of in America’s shift toward a clean energy future.
PJM Interconnection’s 2011 State of the Market Report details how energy market forces in the highly technical RTO system are retiring coal power plants, encouraging renewable energy generation, and stimulating demand response while reducing consumer electricity costs.
Note: This post was originally published on Clean Technica
By Silvio Marcacci
A bill recently introduced in California’s State Assembly would dramatically increase the ability of cities to boost renewable energy.
If passed, the legislation would allow cities to redirect property tax revenue directly to renewable energy projects. Perhaps more significantly, the bill would also let cities create “Renewable Energy Zones” without voter approval requirements.
Assemblyman Ben Hueso, a Democrat from San Diego, is pushing AB 2551 to create a funding mechanism similar to how California previously allowed redevelopment agencies to collect and allocate revenue. Cities could designate a specific area as a renewable energy zone required to generate at least ten megawatts of renewable energy, “including, but not limited to, solar, wind, and geothermal projects, as determined by the legislative body.”
March 23, 2012
Marcacci Communications publishes a daily roundup of energy and climate news and opinion. Inclusion of articles does not mean endorsement. Client relationships are disclosed where applicable.
GREEN BUSINESS
A tally of 3.1 million US green jobs (via New York Times)
China’s coal-rich city eyes green economy (via China Daily)
ENVIRONMENT/CLIMATE/EMISSIONS
EPA chief: no date yet for power plant carbon rules (via The Hill)
Record heat wave grips US, but is it climate change? (via Mother Jones)
Climate change in The Hunger Games (via Slate)
Proposed environmental rule to give hundreds more Texas polluters a passing grade (via Austin Statesman)
March 22, 2012
Note: This post was originally published on Clean Technica
By Silvio Marcacci
American use of public transportation reached 10.4 billion trips in 2011, the second highest annual ridership amount since 1957, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).
This figure represents a 2.3 percent increase over 2010 ridership, and was the sixth year in a row that more than 10 billion trips were taken on public transportation systems in the United States.
Rising Gas Prices and Economy a Factor
An improving economy and rising gasoline prices drove the increase in ridership, according to the APTA. “Since nearly 60 percent of trips taken on public transportation are for work commutes, it’s not surprising to see ridership increase where the economy has improved,” said Michael Melaniphy, APTA president and CEO. Indeed, vehicle miles of travel declined by 1.2 percent in 2011.
