HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FESC 006 09/09/2008 2006-2008 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON FOOD AND ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY '
DATE: September 9, 2008 RE: Comm. 1416/Res. 731-08
PLACE: Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa
78-128 Ehukai Street
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
TIME: 8:30 a.m.
Council Chair and Members '
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Food and Energy Sustainability, to which was referred Resolution 731-08,
reports as follows:
Resolution 731-08, transmitted by Council Chair Pete Hoffmann via Communication 1416, dated
August 20, 2008, encourages the Administration to research the application process to obtain
funding for an energy worker-related training program, as established through the Green Jobs
Act 2007.
The Green Jobs Act 2007 was signed into law on December 19, 2007, and provides a funding
source to establish an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training Program. This
legislation established up to $125 million in grant funding to initiate national and state job
training programs to help address job shortages that are impairing growth in green industries.
On January 31, 2008, Governor Linda Lingle signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the
U.S. Department of Energy for the Hawaii-DOE Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) that not only
assists in building a path towards a strong energy self-sustainable future, but also helps our
workforce reply to the increasing demand for green jobs.
This resolution requests the Administration to do the following:
• Look into establishing acounty-wide Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy- Worker
Training Program
• Research the application process to obtain Federal funding provided by the Green Jobs
Act 2007
• Prepare a list ofgreen-collar jobs that might be needed for Hawaii County
• Update the Council on these efforts by March 1, 2009.
Brent Norris of Green Collar Technologies testified from Hilo in support of Resolution 731-08.
He stated that research is needed to connect the dots between the need for green jobs on the Big ,
Island and the funding opportunities that exist at the Federal level.
Jon Olson also testified from Hilo in support of Resolution 731-08. He stated that it is important
for local government to focus more on this area. He also explained that green-collar jobs are
created when energy dollars create local jobs on the island.
FESC Report No. 06
Comm. 1416/Res. 731-08
September 9, 2008 '
Page 2
Andrea Dean of Andrea Dean LLC testified from Waimea in support of Resolution 731-08. She
described green-collar jobs as middle-class jobs, a pathway out of poverty, strengthens local
communities, and helps solve environmental problems. She stated that there is a national green
movement to improve the economy and environment through the creation of quality green-collar
jobs that empower the middle class. She also provided the following resources for those who
want to learn more about green-collar jobs: www.greenforall.org, www.vanjones.net, and a
book, The Green Collar Economy, written by Van Jones.
Council Member Donald Ikeda asked Brent Norris to explain what agreen-collar job is.
Mr. Norris replied that it is similar to ablue-collar job except that it addresses a more
environmentally friendly sector.
Council Chair Pete Hoffmann stated that his office prepared atwo-page handout of frequently
asked questions about the Green Jobs Act of 2007. He also stated that he has informed
Congresswoman Mazie Hirono and her staff that the Council would be pursuing this initiative
and asked for her assistance. Mr. Hoffmann then asked Mr. Norris if he was working with
Hawaii County's Department of Research and Development. Mr. Norris replied that he is
working with the department to provide educational classes island-wide.
Council Member Brenda Ford spoke on the resolution. She stated that although it is important
for the Administration to prepare a list of green-collar jobs that might be needed for Hawaii
County, it is also important to look at how many positions would be needed for each green-collar
job.
Your Committee on Food and Energy Sustainability is in accord with the purpose and intent of
Resolution 731-08 and recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
FORD X
RIGA X COMMITTEE ON FOOD AND ENERGY
HOFFMANN X SUSTAINABILITY
IKEDA X
JACOBSON X
NAEOLE X
PILAGO X J YOSHIMOTO, CHAIR
YAGONG x FESC REPORT NO. 06
YOSHIMOTO x ADOPTED: SEP 2 4 2008