Support the Green Jobs Act

The Green Jobs Act (H.R. 2847) would "invest $125 million a year for five years to guide 35,000 workers toward promising, environmentally sound careers," according to the Boston Globe.

The U.S. should be working toward leading in the technology, products, and services that save energy, reduce carbon output, slow global warming, and sustain the environment. A well-trained workforce is critical in this effort and H.R. 2847 is a great step in the right direction. Some of those trained will become entrepreneurs; others will take jobs in established firms. In either case, they will help economic and social development.

Private enterprise seems (finally) to be moving aggressively in the direction of "clean and green" and policy makers need to keep pace. If we are going to retrain workers -- everyone from returning veterans to the unemployed and non-violent ex-offenders -- we should be looking to help build economic growth in this area. Private and public efforts can be complementary and create a win for business, workers, and the public at large.

Let your Representative know that you support The Green Jobs Act of 2007.