The GREEN Future
Harvey Santana understands the importance of the “Green” economy and is interested in helping build a foundation for this emerging industry to begin creating jobs in Michigan. In recent years, “GREEN” has been recognized as a social movement as opposed to a strategy for job creation. The primary objective of a GREEN economy is to reduce the effects that our business practices have had on our overall environment. This debate has raised questions about the economic benefits and the reality of the potential jobs that could emerge if Michigan and Detroit were to harness the power of this emerging industry.
The Obama Administration has committed to investing billions of dollars into two areas that will produce the majority of the initial job growth; Weatherization and Alternative Energy.
Weatherization
Weatherization is the lowest level of GREEN jobs, yet it is where the first wave of green jobs will be created. These jobs will focus on the analyses of energy usage (energy audit) and reducing the amount of energy (heating, electric, etc.) that commercial and residential buildings exert by modifying, replacing, or repairing existing components (water heater, windows, cracks in wall, furnace, etc.). The reduction of energy that is exerted by each building will lessen the coal that utility companies must use which translate into less environmentally harmful gases being released into the atmosphere.
Alternative Energy
The alternative energy method seeks to develop and discover non-environmentally harmful sources of energy to power our modes of transportation and our commercial and residential buildings. Job creation through alternative energy is a long term project that will create jobs and a positive and long-lasting effect on Detroit’s overall economic health. A large part of alternative energy development relies on the manufacturing of parts. As an example, Solar panels and wind turbines can be produced in Michigan. The manufacturing of these parts can be conducted in Detroit and throughout SE Michigan at abandoned manufacturing plants that require reinvestment.
The retooling process and the eventual manufacturing of parts would require a large workforce that could potentially come from Detroit.
Harvey Santana understands the value of a diversified economy and sees the promise and potential of a GREEN future in Michigan. As State Representative, Harvey Santana will demonstrate strong leadership to break through the logjam that prevents us from progressing on this issue.
Tags: alternative energy, green economy, jobs, weatherization