Clean Energy Alliance Forms In California
So, here we are in
Fresno, the heart of the
San Joaquin Valley. It's hot, with high power bills (mine was almost as much as my house payment), is rich with renewable energy resources and has chronically high unemployment.
I can't think of a better place for clean-energy technology and energy-efficiency programs. Which is why a new alliance of California businesses, labor, community and environmental leaders sounds promising.
It's called California Apollo Program, and its goal is to create a comprehensive strategy for creating clean-energy jobs in a state famous for innovation and technological advancement.
Hopefully, the alliance will include representatives from the San Joaquin Valley, which can benefit more than most from new jobs and programs that reduce power bills and create alternative forms of energy for farmers and manufacturers.
"The Apollo Alliance will work with our diverse coalition of business, labor, community and environmental leaders to ensure our state seizes the opportunity to invest in California businesses and create new jobs producing the clean technologies of the future," said Phil Angelides, chairman of the national Apollo Alliance, a broader group with similar goals.
The formation of the new group comes when California's landmark climate bill, AB32, is under assault. Proposed legislation, Proposition 23, would suspend AB 32 and goes before the voters in November.
The Apollo Alliance has an ambitious agenda. Here is just a bit of it:
I can't think of a better place for clean-energy technology and energy-efficiency programs. Which is why a new alliance of California businesses, labor, community and environmental leaders sounds promising.
It's called California Apollo Program, and its goal is to create a comprehensive strategy for creating clean-energy jobs in a state famous for innovation and technological advancement.
Hopefully, the alliance will include representatives from the San Joaquin Valley, which can benefit more than most from new jobs and programs that reduce power bills and create alternative forms of energy for farmers and manufacturers.
"The Apollo Alliance will work with our diverse coalition of business, labor, community and environmental leaders to ensure our state seizes the opportunity to invest in California businesses and create new jobs producing the clean technologies of the future," said Phil Angelides, chairman of the national Apollo Alliance, a broader group with similar goals.
The formation of the new group comes when California's landmark climate bill, AB32, is under assault. Proposed legislation, Proposition 23, would suspend AB 32 and goes before the voters in November.
The Apollo Alliance has an ambitious agenda. Here is just a bit of it:
- Generate 33% of California's power from renewable resources by 2020;
- Retrofit existing buildings and ensure new construction is green;
- Support public/private R&D partnerships;
- Help manufacturers retool factories and retrain employees to produce clean-energy products;
- Promote "Buy California: and "Buy America" policies'
- Recycle and reuse in California.
A partial list of endorsers include SunPower Corporation, Natural Resources Defense Council, State Building & Construction Trades Council of California and California Energy Efficiency Industry Council.
The San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization is a nonprofit dedicated to improving our region's quality of life by increasing its production and use of clean and alternative energy. The SJVCEO works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley.