Apollo Board Member Van Jones Accepts White House Post
Congratulations to Van Jones, the founder and president of Green For All, a long-time board member of the Apollo Alliance, and one of the nation’s premier voices for scaling up the clean energy, good jobs economy. Jones has accepted the Obama administration’s invitation to be a special advisor to the president for green jobs, enterprise, and innovation. The White House said Jones’ focus will be promoting green-collar jobs in vulnerable communities.
“Van Jones has been a strong voice for green jobs and we look forward to having him work with departments and agencies to advance the president’s agenda of creating 21st century jobs that improve energy efficiency and utilize renewable resources. Jones will also help to shape and advance the Administration’s energy and climate initiatives with a specific interest in improvements and opportunities for vulnerable communities,” said Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, in a statement today.
In a statement, Phil Angelides, the chairman of the Apollo Alliance said: “Van Jones has been a tireless advocate for creating good green jobs that create pathways out of poverty for vulnerable communities throughout the nation. In his new role, he will help shape the administration’s clean energy and climate policy by producing high-quality, career track jobs that give all Americans an opportunity to share in new prosperity. The appointment of Van Jones as special advisor on green-collar jobs is evidence of President Obama’s determination to pursue a new economic development strategy, founded on the principles of clean energy and good jobs.”
The White House appointment culminates an exceptional 18 months for Jones, who was celebrated at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York in September 2007 as one of the new and important leaders in American environmentalism. The following month New York Times columnist Tom Friedman called Jones “a rare bird” and described him as “a black social activist in Oakland, Calif., and as green an environmentalist as they come. He really gets passionate, and funny, when he talks about what it’s like to be black and green.”
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The Best Man For The Job!
Congratdulations Van it is a breath of fresh air to know that one of our own will assist and help guide our country towards a cleaner greener economy. The past 18 months has been a labor of joy and pain, but it was worth it. As we know the line in the sand is drawn we must move forward and reduce our dependence on oil and coal and increase development and use of renewable energy. The state of Georgia faces some tough issues however I will not give up the fight here in the southeast. Coal has been and appears to be the fuel of choice (check out Washington County GA and it’s new coal fired plant) and will fall victim to Cap and Trade policy which will result in an increase in utility rates for many in Georgia residents who are struggling with current rates.
Van will help us raise the banner in the southeast for a true pathway out of poverty program for thousands of job hungry Americans in this region.
Let me know what I can do to help shape policy issues concerning green collar job training and job growth.
Until next time three cheers for Green Jobs Now!
Peace
Joe White
Green World Promotions
Dear Mr. Jones- Congratulations on your appointment. Now that you have that tiger tail in hand , please let us know if you need a little help with the other end.I appreciate Barack’s sincerity and straight-up approach after so much obfuscation ( means BULL____).but Americans need to get back to Work. So much can be done to make up for the lost time if we can but neutralize the lost confidence and trust in politicians.A real Statesman who won’t back down in the face of the spinning hot- air bags is something i’d love to see and I hope you are courageous when the fangs of reality show.Let Michelle know that some of us are working and watching ALL your backs…….Do your Best Always. Thanks for listening Ed J
Congratulations to Van.
It is critical that attention be given not just to the underserved who might be willing and able to climb on roofs to install solar panels, but also to those under and unemployed that prefer an office environment or have skills that support the managment of a green economy.
Mr. Jones, please read the white paper “Enabling The Last Mile of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Stimulus” by Joseph Brakohiapa, CEO of Clean Power Finance.com Alli in your office at Green for All can provide you with a copy or I would be happy to send it to you.
By providing the tools and management technology now available, we can better ensure that Renewable energy stimulus funds are efficiently used and directed rather than misused and/or misdirected.
Good luck Van. We are rooting for your success.
Eric S. Federman
Clean Power Finance.com - Business Development (for profit)
Marin City Community Development Corp - Advisor to the Board (Non-profit)
ericfederman@comcast.net
I wonder what our founder’s would think of Van Jones , his thoughts, actions and what he says about this wonderful USA?
Sincerely, David Fitzgibbons