If Ohio Needs Jobs, Ohio Needs To Go Green

[Rick Rowlands]

Every job description on that list would lose employment if coal and nuclear plants are shut down.  So at best going to renewable power would not create jobs, just transfer some of them.

[sfc_oliver]

How many of those are temporary jobs? Like construction?

[Dan Moadus]

That's just fine Dennis, except when you mention "investment" you aren't talking about "investment" in the conventional sense, which is done by people and companies in the private sector who will invest with the hope of a profitable return. You like most "Statists" call government spending an "investment". Notice that the only "investment" government does is in areas where the private sector doesn't venture because they do not want to risk their money on projects that they deem unprofitable. Of course the government doesn't care because their using our money. I'll bet Tim Ryan and people like him won't invest their money in "Green" engergy.

[irishbobcat]

Employment sectors that would increase in demand with an investment in solar power include, but are not limited to, the following:

•    Carpenters
•    Materials suppliers including glass, plastic, metal, chemicals, sealants, etc.
•    Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers
•    Electricians
•    HVAC mechanics and installers
•    Inspectors, testers, and sorters
•    Machinists
•    Sheet metal workers
•    Business operations specialists
•    Chemical technicians
•    Civil engineers
•    Computer and IT managers
•    Computer programmers
•    Environmental engineers
•    Mechanical engineers
•    Payroll and timekeeping clerks
•    Purchasing agents
•    Sales representatives
•    Surveyors
•    Training and development specialists
•    Tool and die makers
•    Shipping and receiving clerk

[Rick Rowlands]

Dan,I hope it never ends.  Us "neocons" couldn't ask for more than to have this caricature of a ultra leftwinger to keep posting to this forum. The more he speaks, and the more we refute every one of his assertions with fact and data as he continues to resort to name calling, the more we strengthen our positions. 

Besides, Dennis's posts are great fun.

[Dan Moadus]

My guess is that Dennis has lost all his credibility, if indeed he ever had any, because of his refusal to defend any of his positions when challenged. He personifies the hallmark of a leftist, progressive, green party member, or communinst (take your pick). They can not support their positions so they revert to childish insults. Will it ever end?

[sfc_oliver]

And the wannabe Governor has made no intelligent comments in reply to any of them.

As expected.

[irishbobcat]

the 3 neo-cons have spoken! Whoppee!!!!!!!

[sfc_oliver]

"For two years, the city of Durango, Colo., bought electricity for all its government buildings from wind farms. The City Council ended that program this year, reverting to electricity derived from coal-burning plants and saving the cash-strapped city about $45,000." http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2009-05-03-greencities_N.htm

The impact on jobs is particularly troubling and has been explored in depth in a stufy (PDF) done in Spain when they implemented a similar program. The administration is promoting this bill as one which creates more "green" jobs. What they don't mention is that every one of those green jobs created comes at a cost of the loss of 2.2 existing jobs and most of the new jobs are temporary jobs in construction and installation or jobs which cease to exist when the new technology proves to be inefficient and is abandoned. It is estimated that 90% of the jobs created are temporary, so the long-term ratio is more like 20 jobs lost for every job created. Added to the massive job loss already caused by the administration's failing economic policies this might be a cost too great for the nation to bear.
http://www.rlc.org/2009/06/25/the-price-of-going-green/
http://www.juandemariana.org/pdf/090327-employment-public-aid-renewable.pdf

Just a few things to think about.

[Dan Moadus]

Nice defense of your argument Dennis.

[irishbobcat]

Who cares what you think, Ricky!

[Rick Rowlands]

On its face 9.1 % sure sounds fantastic, a hell of a lot better than a paltry 3.7%.  But what is not stated is that these percentages are of different numbers and really offer no comparison.  For a newly emerging, highly subsidized job classification I would expect to see very high job growth numbers.  But the job growth in all sectors, which is what the 3.7% represents, takes into account all business activity and is a percentage of a much larger number. 

From a job creation point of view, labor intensive green technology sounds great, but from a consumer's point of view is not much of a bargain.  That translates into higher energy costs, even after taking into consideration that the fuel is free.

100% green is not where we should be heading.  25% green is still quite optimistic given the current level of the technology.

[irishbobcat]

If Ohio Needs Jobs, Ohio Needs To Go Green

Between 1998 and 2007, the growth in green jobs was 9.1 percent, far outpacing growth in all jobs at 3.7 percent. This pace is expected to continue across the country. Green Energy expeditures are more labor-intensive than fossil-fuel based expenditures producing three to four jobs as compared to one job from the same amount expended on fossil fuels.

While there is a need for specialized skills in some green jobs, workers still need the basics. Green skills are an overlay of new skills and knowledge; and learners cannot access the new knowledge without the foundation.

For Ohio to gain jobs, you must have a Governor committed to going 100% green, and not just 25% green by 2025 like Ted Strickland.

You need a Green Governor willing to commit 100% to green economic investments such as building retrofitting, mass transit/freight rail, smart grid, wind pwoer, solar power, and advanced biofuels.

Ohio needs to go green for more jobs in the future.