‘The New Apollo Program’ Launches In California
The Alameda County IBEW Electrical Training Center is usually quiet on a Saturday. But yesterday, the center buzzed with activity. The caterers prepared busily for lunch. Television news crews unloaded their gear. Union members, local government officials and community members arrived by the dozens. Organizer Mike Roth (see pix left) checked his list and checked his list again to make sure every last detail was in order. The excitement of the morning was the arrival of Senator Barbara Boxer and the launch of the Apollo Alliance’s The New Apollo Program. Apollo Chairman Phil Angelides welcomed the crowd and local luminaries and introduced his guest panel.
The panel from left to right (see pix above) included:
- Ian Kim, Green-Collar Jobs Campaign Director, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and leader of the Oakland Apollo Alliance
- Carl Zichella, Director of Western Renewable Programs, Sierra Club
- Senator Barbara Boxer
- Phil Angelides, Chairman of The Apollo Alliance
- Art Pulaski, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, California Labor Federation
- Lisa Mortenson, C.E.O. of Community Fuels
- Bob Balgenorth, President of the California Building and Construction Trades
Phil began the program by explaining how necessary The New Apollo Program is to our country. We live in a time such that the government has to spend $700 billion to bailout an irresponsible Wall Street. We live in an economy that shed 159,000 jobs in September and that’s before the recent bank failures. In this light, Phil stressed the need for a new way of thinking, a new bold economic development plan. And The New Apollo Program embodies a new way forward, one that calls for a $500 billion investment over 10 years that will create 5 million jobs, turn our economy around, invest in our infrastructure, end our dependence on foreign oil and stabilize the climate.
Senator Boxer (see pix right) took the microphone next and re-iterated the need for such a vision as The New Apollo Program. The Senator cited her dream position as Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works as a perfect vehicle to advocate for the types of programs that The New Apollo Program calls for - energy efficiency, renewable energy infrastructure, a 21st century power grid, and world-class transit systems to name a few. She underscored the need to support policies that keep jobs in the United States and pay a good wage. And of course on everyone’s mind was the events of last week.
Boxer also defended her yes vote in the Senate on the bailout, citing the need to ease the credit crunch for everyone’s sake. She said, “Wall Street may have caused the problem, but the impact goes all the way to Main Street….(This country needs) to put familiy first not special interests.” She added that the Senate’s work isn’t done. It will “get to the bottom” of the crisis in hearings that are expected to start in the coming weeks. But more relevant to the issue of the day is that the bailout bill included an 8-year extension of the renewable energy tax credits.
Panel members were received by a receptive audience (see pix above.) They weighed in on everything from green-collar job training to biodiesel to social justice issues.
Bob Balgenorth talked about the 50,000 trained union employees in California and programs that offer technical education in green technologies that will lead to good, family-supporting careers.
Lisa Mortenson’s company has union friendly stance that include procurement policies that resulted in components being made in the U.S.A. and its Stockton facility being constructed with 100% prevailing wage contracts.
Art Pulaski emphasized the need to help workers understand the current structural changes in our economy and technology.
Carl Zichella spoke about how environmentalists and labor need to work together to improve public health and to turn our challenges into opportunity. He made a very salient point that 100 years ago there were no gas stations or highways; in World War II we went from a horse-led army to the best army in the world in less than 4 years because we dedicated ourselves to the effort; so it is ludicrous to think that we can’t build a new infrastructure based on a clean energy economy.
Ian Kim said that people are ‘thirsty for a solution’ and that The New Apollo Program is a ‘game changer’ that with its strong ‘four-legged table’ of environmental, business, labor and community involvement can become a reality.
The consensus agreement in the room between these different diverse constituents was evident and they are working together and eager to bring everyone under the tent. The Congress passed the renewable energy tax credits that will give the market stability for companies to thrive and innovate, which in turn will fuel demand for skilled union workers. The unions have training programs to teach people the necessary skills for a new green economy and help them transition. Community groups are working with their local municipalities and community college systems to bring young people into the fold. And environmentalists are making sure that the policies that are passed in Congress bring us cleaner air and a healthier environment.
Angelides said in conclusion, “We are closing a chapter on policies that didn’t work and opening a new chapter of those that do.”
– Heidi Pickman
Tags: clean energy, good jobs, New Apollo Program, Senator Barbara Boxer