Investment in green technologies.. can I get a woo hoo

[Peacetrain]

Here is where the tire meets the road.. we get out there and develop these technologies and make it happen here.. the seeds have been spread..



http://green.tmcnet.com/topics/green/articles/50701-analysis-president-obamas-new-green-stimulus-law.htm

The Sierra Club’s Allegheny Group, Pennsylvania Chapter has published most of the green extracts of ARRA on its web site. The highlights include:

* $4.5 billion for the repair of federal buildings to increase energy efficiency using green technology

* $11 billion for smart-grid related activities, including work to modernize the electric grid and smart grid grants

* $6.3 billion for energy efficiency and conservation grants

* $5 billion for the Weatherization Assistance Program

* $2.5 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy research

* $2 billion in grant funding for the manufacturing of advanced battery systems and
components and vehicle batteries produced in the U.S.

* $6 billion for new loan guarantees aimed at standard renewable projects such as wind or solar projects and for electricity transmission projects

* $1 billion for energy efficiency programs including alternative fuel trucks and buses, transportation charging infrastructure, and smart and energy efficient appliances

* $8.4 billion for public transportation

* $9.3 billion for investments in rail transportation, including Amtrak and high-speed rail

* $4 billion to the public housing capital fund to enable local public housing agencies to address a $32 billion backlog in capital needs, especially those improving energy efficiency

* $6 billion to cleaning up former weapon production and energy research sites

* $1.38 billion to support $3.8 billion in loans and grants for needed water and waste disposal facilities in rural areas

[plcdude]

1. Would love

to see more on alternnative fuel sources like algae.

[ej510]

2. K&R too bad we couldn't pump more money into green jobs.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. Honestly? We don't have the talent for more green jobs.

We are currently outsourcing production of solar panels to Germany because we don't have people here that are qualified to fill the jobs. And it's not even close to being a case of corporate greed or cheap labor - Germany has higher tax rates and the gross wage per average manufacturing employee is nearly 25% higher in Germany than in the U.S. We've had a culture of dropping out of high school and going straight to the assembly line for far too long in this country, but the assembly lines themselves have become too complex for high school drop outs. We've got a serious education problem that is inhibiting our ability to function economically.

[HopeOverFear]

4. woo hoo!!!!!

[Cha]

5. Our Planet baby~ Do you think we

would be seeing this with republicon assholes in power?

[treestar]

6. That is a great point!

I'm just grateful every day this country finally had some sense and did not vote Gramps in.