HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainable EconomyDRAFT 9 -8 -10
Green Economy
The numerous factors motivating individuals, companies, and governments to act and invest more
sustainably are also creating demand for new "green" products, services and jobs. Oshkosh is
increasingly showing signs of this "green economy." Not only are we seeing more corporate
responsibility to society and the environment, but we are attracting green industries. These are
industries that work with the environment or involve environmentally friendly products or
services. They make headlines because they differ from our traditional manufacturing and
education, health and social service economic base.
Oshkosh is now home to a manufacturer of small wind turbines, a promoter of small scale bio
fuel production, and a designer of high tech batteries using nanomaterials. We have builders
constructing green buildings, and food vendors supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
Oshkosh is developing a strong social network to support less- fortunate residents, including
innovative institutions engaged in community funds, food banks, housing, re -use of donated
materials, and services for women, children, and the homeless. We also have corporations proud
to proclaim their sustainability. Aurora and Affinity medical facilities are two of the most vocal.
International companies in our city, such as Wal -Mart and McDonalds, also are leaders in
sustainability worldwide. Increasingly too, we see state supported programs like Focus on Energy
helping businesses reduce their energy use. On the federal level the 2007 Green Jobs Act
authorized $125 million to train workers for green - collar fields, with additional funding
anticipated. In the face of such activities, equipping Oshkosh as a green business center makes
good financial sense.
Bolster the local economy by attracting green - collar jobs and encouraging businesses to
become more sustainable.
Policies:
Plan for a Greener Economy. Add clean technology to Oshkosh's targeted growth sectors.
Identify products and sectors for a sustainability- related manufacturing and production niche in
Oshkosh. Conduct a needs assessment of green job demand. Inventory existing job training
programs and link it to information provided in the green jobs needs assessment. Work with UW
Oshkosh, Fox Valley Technical College, and UW- Extension to bring together partners to discuss
developing ways to grow the green collar industry. Develop a strategy to secure available
government and private funding to grow the industry. Analyze the potential for a "green"
business incubator in the city.
Support Green - Collar Jobs.* Promote, expand, and offer business incentives to attract green -
collar companies. Support local green industries in their efforts to use special bonding or seek
government funding if available. Establish creative financing strategies for local green business
Encourage adoption of green building practices for new construction and renovation.
Attract Green Businesses. Work with the Chamber of Commerce, Chamco, and NEW North to
develop a marketing piece aimed at attracting industry within the sustainability sector. Highlight
and market the city's natural and infrastructure amenities attractive to green technology
businesses. Encourage businesses that reduce dependence on fossil fuel, do not use toxic
chemicals, and meet or exceed clean air and clean water standards. Seek out businesses to use by-
products of other processes or whose wastes can be used as raw materials for other industries.
Encourage businesses that maintain natural terrain, drainage and vegetation, minimizing
disruption of natural systems. Encourage businesses that reuse processed water or make use of
solid waste for materials or energy production. Review zoning regulations to encourage home
based businesses in order to reduce travel needs.
Promote Green Job Education. Work with Oshkosh Area School District, Fox Valley Technical
College and University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to ramp up education and training for fields in
sustainability. Provide opportunities for student interns to advance green practices in city
departments.
Buy Local. Promote the buying of local and regional products to help strengthen
our economy. Educate residents about the importance and benefits of supporting local businesses.
Increase local government purchasing of local products. Develop tools to connect local suppliers
with businesses, consumers, and government. Promote the sale of local food and drinks at events.
Encourage development of unique local shops to foster a distinct Oshkosh identity. Work with the
Chamber of Commerce to research and publish a Green Business Directory to include green -
collar companies and companies with improved sustainability.
Travel Green Wisconsin: Help the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau attract and expand
businesses related eco- tourism, such as those related to waterways, biking and other outdoor
activities. Encourage businesses and facilitate the process to increase participation in the state's
Travel Green program, a voluntary program providing opportunities to be recognized as a green.
business. Create a sustainable best practices document to hand out to event planners. Work to
attract sustainability- related conventions and events to Oshkosh.
Promote Triple Bottom Line. Promote and educate institutions and businesses to
measure their success not only by financial profit, but by environmental and
social performance as well. Called "Triple Bottom Line" ( the Planet or Natural Capital, People
or Social Capital, and Profit or Economic Capital ) this accounting approach has been endorsed
by the United Nations and International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives- Local
Governments for Sustainability, as a bona fide technique to measure corporate and
governmental sustainability. Compile a list of companies in the region to show other companies
the value of employing triple bottom line. Encourage local businesses to adopt sustainable
accounting practices by leading by example and sharing the city's successes. Support the Public
Library's efforts to build resources regarding green business practice. Collaborate with the
Chamber and local colleges to hold an annual conference to promote sustainability. Promote the
DNR's Green Tier program which supports environmentally innovative companies who go
beyond compliance with minimum regulatory standards while improving their bottom line.
Affinity Health Systems is a Green Tier 1 corporation.
Support Low - Income Needs. Continue to support programs for housing, transportation,
education, work and social networks to improve the economic status of people in need. Continue
to provide CDBG funds to support social services. Work with service agencies to find the best
possible locations and buildings. Help groups coordinate events for collecting donations,
fundraising, enlisting volunteers, and educating the public about opportunities and services.
Consider a consortium to apply for federal assistance for new opportunities, emergencies, disaster
relief, faith -based initiatives, etc. Assist with efforts to provide a local warming shelter and ensure
adequate facilities for the homeless. Promote the availability of food pantries, resale shops,
transportation and human services at various outlets and on the city's Sustainability web site.
*GREEN JOBS TO WATCH, 2008
Energy Efficiency
Energy and indoor air quality auditor
Deconstruction worker
Heating - Ventilation -Air Conditioning (HVAC) operations and maintenance technician
Systems technician
Solar installer and technician
Wind Energy
Wind energy technician
Wind energy mechanic
Windsmith
Biofuels
Ethanol plant technician
Ethanol plant operator
Ethanol maintenance mechanic
Biodiesel laboratory technician
Biodiesel maintenance mechanic
Biodiesel process control technician
*From Greener Pathways: Jobs and Workforce Development in the Clean Energy Economy Sarah White
and Jason Walsh, 2008.
JOBS THAT WILL BUILD THE GREEN U.S. ECONOMY AND FIGHT GLOBAL
WARMING * *
Building Retrofitting Electricians, Heating /Air Conditioning Installers, Carpenters,
Construction Equipment Operators, Roofers, Insulation Workers, Carpenter Helpers, Industrial
Truck Drivers, Construction Managers, Building Inspectors
Mass Transit Civil Engineers, Rail Track Layers, Electricians, Welders, Metal Fabricators,
Engine Assemblers, Production Helpers, Bus Drivers, First -Line Transportation Supervisors,
Dispatchers
Energy - Efficient Automobiles Computer Software Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Engineering
Technicians, Welders, Transportation Equipment Painters, Metal Fabricators, Computer -
Controlled Machine Operators, Engine Assemblers, Production Helpers, Operations Managers
Wind Power Environmental Engineers, Iron and Steel Workers, Millwrights, Sheet Metal
Workers, Machinists, Electrical Equipment Assemblers, Construction Equipment Operators,
Industrial Truck Drivers, Industrial Production Managers, First -Line Production Supervisors
Solar Power Electrical Engineers, Electricians, Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Welders, Metal
Fabricators, Electrical Equipment Assemblers, Construction Equipment Operators, Installation
Helpers, Laborers, Construction Managers
Cellulosic Biofuels Chemical Engineers, Chemists, Chemical Equipment Operators, Chemical
Technicians, Mixing and Blending Machine Operators, Agricultural Workers, Industrial Truck
Drivers, Farm Product Purchasers, Agricultural and Forestry Supervisors, Agricultural Inspectors
** From Job Opportunities for the Green Economy: A State -by -State Picture of Occupations that Gain
from Green Investments Robert Pollin & Jeannette Wicks -Lim, June, 2008.
Twenty -two different sectors of the U.S. economy currently provide
workers with green collar jobs:
1. Bicycle repair and bike delivery services
2. Car and truck mechanic jobs, production jobs, and gas- station jobs related to bio- diesel,
vegetable oil and other alternative fuels
3. Energy retrofits to increase energy efficiency and conservation
4. Food production using organic and/or sustainably grown agricultural products
5. Furniture making from environmentally certified and recycled wood
6. Green building
7. Green waste composting on a large scale
8. Hauling and reuse of construction and demolition materials and debris (C &D)
9. Hazardous materials clean up
10. Green (sustainable) landscaping
11. Manufacturing jobs related to large scale production of a wide range of appropriate
technologies (i.e. solar panels, bike cargo systems, green waste bins, etc.)
12. Materials reuse /producing products made from recycled, non -toxic materials
13. Non -toxic household cleaning in residential and commercial buildings
14. Parks and open space maintenance and expansion
15. Printing with non -toxic inks and dyes and recycled papers
16. Public transit jobs
17. Recycling
18. Solar installation and maintenance
19. Tree cutting and pruning
20. Peri -urban and urban agriculture
21. Water retrofits to increase water efficiency and conservation
22. Whole home performance (Le: HVAC, attic insulation, weatherization, etc.)
From Green Collar Jobs: An Analysis of the Capacity of Green Businesses to Provide High Quality Jobs
for Men and Women with Barriers to Employment Raquel Pinderhughes, 2007.
Compiled by:
Jim Resick, Community Development Educator
Outagamie County University of Wisconsin- Extension