This Month: > Creating Green Jobs in Virginia and Across the US > Blueprint for Federal Legislation Unveiled > Get Green Power > Upcoming Events > Creating Green Jobs in Virginia and Across the US Talk of creating green jobs and taking action on climate change has increased over the past few months with a new Congress and President. The possibility of creating 5 millions jobs in an ailing economy sounds great but a concrete explanation of what types of jobs would be created and who they would impact has been missing-until now. A new study by Duke University shows that green jobs represent the future of U.S. manufacturing. Entitled "Manufacturing Climate Solutions," the report finds that hidden economic opportunities lie in the supply chains that provide parts and labor for LED lighting, high performance windows, auxiliary power units for long-haul trucks, concentrating solar power and Super Soil Systems. Solving climate change does create significant economic opportunities for U.S. workers. The report was sponsored in part by Environmental Defense Fund. As Congress and President Obama work to incorporate environmental solutions into the stimulus package, our leaders in Virginia are also taking action. Governor Tim Kaine continues to promote green jobs in Virginia as part of the recently launched Renew Virginia initiative. "Creating green jobs and a renewable energy sector of the Virginia economy is one way we can create opportunity from our current economic challenges," Governor Kaine said in a press release. "With this package of bills, not only will we be able to create jobs for hardworking Virginians, but we will be taking proactive steps to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and improve our environment." > Blueprint for Federal Legislation Unveiled Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and a broad coalition of major companies and non-profit groups comprising the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) unveiled in January a groundbreaking new blueprint for federal legislation to fight climate change and jumpstart economic recovery with a cap on global warming pollution. "By bringing both the business and environmental communities to the table, the USCAP has ensured that the resulting blueprint is a practical and effective solution," said Rob Jones, director of the Virginia Climate Initiative. "Capping carbon emissions is key to spurring growth in clean energy technologies which will benefit workers here in Virginia." The blueprint, two years in the making, represents a consensus agreement among a diverse group of companies from across the U.S. economy and leading non-profit organizations on the design of comprehensive climate legislation. USCAP is calling on Congress and the incoming administration to pass a cap and trade bill as soon as possible. Key elements include aggressive emission reductions targets and timelines that follow the science mechanisms -- including an 80 percent reduction from 2005 levels by 2050 -- to manage costs without undermining environmental goals and provisions to address economic impacts on customers. > Get Green Power Are you a Dominion customer? You now have the opportunity to promote renewable energy by joining the voluntary Green Power program. There are two ways for both residential and commercial customers to invest in renewable energy through their monthly bills. With both, certified renewable energy certificates are purchased and retired on the customer's behalf in the amount of his or her choosing. Dominion does not profit from the program. Renewable energy, defined as an electricity source that naturally replenishes itself, may come from solar, wind, biomass, and low-impact hydro power. > Upcoming Events Biomass Energy in the Home: The Future is Now        February 11, Charlottesville: Dept. of Forestry Headquarters Washington Metro Green Jobs Fair        February 27, Arlington: Westin Arlington Gateway Climate Change and its Impact on Northern Virginia        March 11, Alexandria: Huntley Meadows Park Visitor Center Ecosystem Services: Marketing Environmental Solutions        March 12-13, Charlottesville: Omni Hotel 20th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium        March 31-April 2, Lexington: Virginia Military Institute

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