Green Jobs for the Future / Global Warming Resolution

Whereas, reliance on fossil fuels threatens our national security and our economic security;

Whereas, global warming is an urgent crisis threatening our quality of life and our children’s future;

Whereas for the first time in 30 years Minnesota’s unemployment rate is worse than the U.S. rate and our economic growth is lagging the nation.

Whereas “green collar” jobs could bring over 18,000 jobs in wind, solar, geothermal and biomass industries;

Whereas, Minnesota can create economic opportunity and thousands of good paying, family-sustaining green jobs by enacting a comprehensive strategy for building the wind, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, and energy efficiency industries in our state;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Minnesota Legislature in 2008 pass a Green Jobs for the Future plan, including the following legislation:

A carbon cap which limits and steadily reduces global warming emissions, allows for trading, and auctions all permits to emit, with proceeds to benefit the public and mechanisms to protect poor and middle income families from a disproportionate share of energy costs;

Incentives for solar manufacturing and installation on public and private buildings, requirements for utilities to buy solar, and tax credits or rebates for individuals and small businesses installing solar;

State loan funds for schools and local governments to install wind, solar, geothermal or energy efficiency improvements; incentives for homeowners and renters to install insulation, new windows, and other energy efficiency improvements; and high green building standards;

Creation of Green Manufacturing Parks, which will attract green companies especially to areas which have lost manufacturing jobs; and making state economic development incentives focus on global warming reduction/renewable energy criteria;

An aggressive state marketing and recruitment plan to bring wind turbine, solar, and other manufacturers to Minnesota;

Investment in public transit and adoption of “clean car” global warming pollution low emissions standards for new car manufacturing;

Workforce training for green collar jobs and requirements for prevailing wages or living wages for publicly subsidized jobs.