‘The New Apollo Program’ Flew A Mile High In Denver
Unveiling a program for clean energy, good jobs in Colorado is easy. Easy because the governor supports the clean energy economy as is evident by this sign in the Denver airport.
Governor Ritter is building a “New Energy Economy for Colorado,” which was a centerpiece of his first 100 days in office during which time, the state doubled its renewable energy portfolio, made it easier for utility companies to build wind-power transmission lines, attracted a wind-blade manufacturing plant and quadrupled the number of E-85 ethanol fuel pumps around Colorado.
According to Apollo’s 2004 report New Energy For America, an $8.2 billion federal investment in Colorado would create 66,321 direct, permanent jobs over 10 years, including:
- 12,560 on-site construction jobs,
- 6,699 on-site manufacturing jobs, and
- 1,830 transportation jobs.
And Governor Ritter supports The New Apollo Program.
“As America struggles with a volatile economy, rising unemployment and an uncertain energy future, one thing is clear – we must rededicate ourselves to rebuilding this country. The New Apollo Program calls for a $500 billion, 10-year federal investment in the New Energy Economy, which is the focus of today’s conference. This would create 5 million new jobs and launch this country toward a more secure economic future and a more secure energy future. It is a path we should all embrace.”
The governor is not alone, Colorado’s state legislature has passed and the governor has signed more than a dozen pieces of legislation that promote a green energy future, including many incentives for renewable energy, energy efficiency programs, green schools, net metering and assistance to low income families.
Everyone is in on the act - even the airport. For those of you who don’t have a magnifying glass handy, this display touts Denver International Airport’s use of solar, respect for nature and recycling efforts. DIA will produce 3 million kilowatt hours - half the power needed to run the airport train and it recycled 2500 tons of 22 different waste types.
So it was a friendly crowd last week (October 14, 2008) when Apollo’s co-director, Kate Gordon welcomed labor, business, environmental and economic justice communities to the Colorado rollout of The New Apollo Program at the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado in downtown Denver. Kate’s special guest was Representative Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo. - see pix below.)
Congressman Perlmutter’s latest move on the green-collar economy front is to insert a measure that provides incentives to lenders and financial institutions to provide lower interest loans and other benefits to consumers, who build, buy or remodel their homes and businesses to improve their energy efficiency into HR 6899, the Comprehensive Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act.
Representative Perlmutter also sets an example with his Green Office that is carbon neutral, his district office is in a LEED-certified silver building and he promotes energy efficiency as chair of the Energy Efficiency Task Force in the House Financial Services Committee.
The Congressman said that he believes that there is the political will to move forward with a clean energy economy and embrace a program like The New Apollo Program. Neal Hall of the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council explained the need for skilled labor and the labor movement’s ability to train and provide workers. Carol Sturman of Sturman Industries* underlined the need for federal help in providing incentives for clean technology and helping bring such technologies to market. And Elise Jones of Colorado Environmental Coalition emphasized the need and importance of bringing a coalition of business, labor and environmental groups to work on environmental issues.
The Apollo Alliance has a state Colorado chapter that is co-sponsored by FRESC, a workforce development group dedicated to good jobs and strong communities. Director of FRESC is Carmen Rhodes.
- Heidi Pickman
*An ironic note of interest: Eddie Sturman, co-founder of Sturman Industries, invented the foundation of Sturman’s digital valve technology for the Apollo space program.