Second Nature™ News: January 2009
In this issue:
- Preparing for green collar job opportunities
- Balancing affordable energy with environmental responsibility
- Spotlight on Second Nature Business Customer - The BCI Burke Company
- Green Information Services
- Product Content Label
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Preparing for green collar job opportunities
America’s job market is turning green! More and more, green-collar workers are stepping up to take their place among blue and white collars in the American workforce. Even in tough economic times, the green-collar sector is booming.
Green collar jobs include any that involve the design, manufacture, installation, operation, and/or maintenance of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
This fall, environmental advocates held over 600 rallies nationwide to call for a $100 billion green economic recovery program. The result of such an investment would be 2 million new green-collar jobs within two years. This according to a report from the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
And that’s not just wishful thinking. During the next three decades, a major shift to renewable energy will produce 4.2 million new “green” jobs, according to a study released in October 2008 by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. While less than one-half of one percent of total employment is currently green collar, in the next 30 years, these jobs could account for 10 percent of new job growth.
The biggest increase, according to the report, will be 1.5 million new jobs in alternative transportation, followed by 1.2 million jobs in renewable power generation. Increasing the efficiency of commercial buildings and homes will create 81,000 new jobs, and 1.4 million positions will be the result of engineering research, consulting, and legal jobs.According to Worldwatch Institute the following renewable industries currently employ at least:
- Solar thermal 624,000
- Wind power 300,000
- Solar PV industry 170,000.
- Biomass and biofuels over 1 million
- Hydropower 39,000
- Geothermal 25,000
“These figures are expected to swell substantially as private investment and government support for alternative energy sources grow. And the most optimistic analyses project that global wind power employment will increase to as much as 2.1 million in 2030 and 2.8 million in 2050. Similar projections estimate that worldwide solar PV production alone could create as many as 6.3 million jobs by 2030,” the group reports. According to the Renewable Energy Group, Inc., by 2015, more than 240,000 full-time jobs related to renewable fuels production will be created by the biodiesel and ethanol industries alone.
Here in the Midwest, the growth of alternative energy (and in particular wind and biofuels) as well as an increased consciousness and concern about energy efficiency and global warming will create a good percentage of these new positions.
Types of green collar jobs
Green job opportunities might arise in new green business ventures or existing businesses that are increasingly concerned about sustainability issues. You might find a green job with a research group, a utility company,an environmental regulation governmental agency, a nonprofit energy education organization, a laboratory, university, or private business, for example.
We’re talking about positions that are entirely new – like manufacturing, installing and maintaining wind turbines, solar panels, or transit lines. Some will be positions that are new twists on existing positions, like landscaping and retrofitting buildings with energy efficiency in mind.
Will you be ready?
Education, training and retraining will be necessary to take advantage of these new job opportunities. You can now find green classes in technology, resources, 
systems design, economics, policy, energy auditing, building and construction, recycling, renewable resources, installation and much, much more. Certification, degrees,and even masters’ degrees are now available in the field of alternative energy.
Check with your local university, college, community college, technical colleges, and educational centers for classes that focus on green jobs. If you’re interested in training for a green job, many schools and organizations offer programs or currently have curriculum in development. Here are some good places to start:
Local community and technical colleges:
Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, offers three programs in renewable energy.
- Biorefinery Technology
- Renewable Electricity Technician
- Renewable Thermal Energy Technician
They are also developing training for project manager and consultant positions in the green industry.
Web site: http://mstc.edu/academics/index.htm
Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa, provides The Wind Energy and Turbine Technology Program. The purpose is to train skilled technicians to install, maintain, and service modern wind turbines. They also offer programs in:
- Biorenewable Fuels Technology
- Environmental Studies
- Sustainable Energy Resource Management
Web site: http://iowalakes.edu/registrar/catalog
Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, Wisconsin, offers a Wind Technician Associate Degree, which prepares students to install, test, service and repair wind systems.
Web site: http://gotoltc.edu/programs/windenergy.php
Colleges and Universities:
University of Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa, offers a Master’s degree in Wind Power Management and courses in Energy Systems Design.
- They are currently working on a cross-college undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability, which should be available beginning in spring of 2010.
- You may also pursue “green collar” coursework through the Civil and Environmental Engineering College, as well as Environmental Sciences.
- There are relevant individual courses throughout the humanities and social sciences.
- They also offer a graduate program (as well as undergraduate courses) in Occupational and Environmental Health through the College of Public Health.
Websites: http://iowa.edu and http://me.engineering.uiowa.edu/IEProgram/WindPowerManagement.php
The University of Minnesota’s College of Natural Resources, in Morris, Minnesota, began offering an Environmental Studies Major in February 2008. They also have a service-learning program entitled Service Learning: Sustainable Living. Other coursework offerings include:
- Bio-based Products
- Conservation Biology
- Natural Resources Science and Management
- Water Resources Science
Web site: http://morris.umn.edu/academic/enst/
University of Wisconsin-Nelson Institute, in Madison, Wisconsin, offers an environmental studies certificate program for undergraduate students as well as three graduate-degree programs:
- Water Resources Management
- Environment and Resources
- Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development.
Graduate-level certificates in the area include:
- Energy Analysis and Policy
- Humans and the Global Environment
- Air Resources Management
Web site: http://nelson.wisc.edu/grad/prospective/
Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa, has a graduate program in Sustainable Agriculture. They also offer degree programs in Atmospheric Science and Agricultural Meteorology, addressing the climate needs of the wind industry. Web site: www.sust.ag.lastate.edu/gpsa
Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, offers majors in Environmental Studies and prepares students for positions in pollution control, government, environmental consulting, environmental writing, land-use planning, and wildlife and fisheries management.
Web site: http://www.northland.edu
Minneapolis College of Art & Design, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, offers a certificate in Sustainable Design.
Website: http://mcad.edu
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, provides majors in:
- Natural Resources Management
- Soils and Waste Management
- Water Resources Management and Fisheries
- Paper Science and Engineering
Web site: http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/
Balancing affordable energy with environmental responsibility
As Alliant Energy customers, we understand you are concerned about a clean, safe and healthy environment. At the same time, you desire reliable, cost-effective energy.
To see how our company and our employees work to meet your energy needs with the environment in mind, review our 2008 Environmental Report.
The report details Alliant Energy’s efforts to establish strong biomass markets in Wisconsin and Iowa, outlines the progress of emissions monitoring at power plants, profiles energy efficiency programs and details examples of successful energy efficiency projects.
Find out how Alliant Energy balances the responsibility to generate reliable, cost-effective energy and deliver valuable energy-related services, while also being a responsible corporate citizen and a good environmental steward.
Spotlight on Second Nature Business Customer - The BCI Burke Company
Located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin – wind-farm country – for over 85 years, The BCI Burke Company, LLC, is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of commercial playground equipment. The company employs over sixty workers. Current owners are CEO Tim Ahern and President Mark Sondergard.
With a commitment to good environmental stewardship, BCI Burke has recently received ISO 14001 certification.These voluntary standards relate to environmental performance and increased efficiency. The company has instituted programs to increase the amount of material that is recycled and to manufacture with recycled materials where possible. In 2007, for example, BCI Burke recycled 33 tons of HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and 65 tons of metal.
By installing energy efficient lighting, BCI Burke reduced its total energy consumption by 16 percent in 2008. They also replaced old HVAC units with more energy efficient units and adopted a company-wide policy to reduce energy usage in all areas.
The company recently joined The Second Nature Program. “Purchasing renewable energy is just another example of our effort to be environmentally responsible,” says Mark Sondergard.
Future plans include using more recycled material in packaging as well as increasing efficiency in order to reduce the amount of packaging used. Additional initiatives, especially in the area of energy reduction, will be explored in 2009.
“Burke is very proud to be environmentally responsible. Its employees have embraced the company’s environmental initiatives and have been instrumental in developing the environmental programs and policies, including participation in the Second Nature Program,” explains Sondergard.
To learn more about the company, visit their website at bciburke.com.
Green Information Services
In this regular column, we tell you about resources we’re sure you’ll want to check out! Please take a minute to let us know about your favorite energy-related Wweb sites, books, and magazines so we can share them with other Second Nnature participants.
BOOKS
“Your Eco-Friendly Home” by Sid Davis (AMACOM, November 2008). If you’re interested in having an ecologically sound home, you’ll find this book useful. It contains information on finding, financing, and purchasing eco-friendly real estate, working with eco-conscious agents and brokers, using environmentally friendly materials and techniques for building, using efficient landscaping, and taking advantage of tax incentives for going green.
“Cut Your Energy Bills Now: 150 Smart Ways to Save Money and Make your Home More Comfortable and Green” by Bruce Harley (Taunton, December 2008). The author is an engineer and expert on energy-efficient construction and renovation. Written for the average homeowner, this book will tell you how to cut energy costs by 20 percent or more while making your home comfortable, healthy, and green.
“The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Environmentally Friendly Living” by Jenn Savedge (Kedzie Press, April 2008). This book is a fun aid for parents who want to raise environmentally conscious kids. With an optimistic perspective, it offers up-to-date tips on reusing and recycling as well as products and services.
“The Forever Forest: Kids Save a Tropical Treasure” by Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini and Rachel Crandell. (Dawn Publications, March 2008). In this fun picture book, readers take a hike through a lively eternal rainforest in Costa Rica, saved by children the world over
WEB SITES
GreenGuide: thegreenguide.com is “The green living source for today’s conscious consumer.” Here you’ll find extensive information about all things green -- including products, travel and culture, renovation and cooking. It’s an interactive site, with blogs, tips and quizzes. You may also sign up to receive their free weekly e-newsletter, “The Green Guide to Go.”
Charlie and Lola is a fun and educational online game about recycling. By helping the characters collect rubbish in the right recycling bins, your child can progress to more challenging environmental tasks. Play at http://www.charlieandlola.com/planet/planet-game.html.
What does your participation in Second Nature mean to you?
How does your household’s or business’s participation in Second Nature impact other areas of your life? We’re looking for future In the Spotlight stories from Second Nature participants. E-mail us at secondnature@alliantenergy.com or call 1-800-ALLIANT (255-4268) if you would like to be featured in an upcoming issue of the newsletter.