Labor Secretary Says Green Jobs Hiring Will Pick Up

Associated Press
LAS VEGAS -- Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said Monday that she believes hiring in the alternative-energy industry will pick up in the next 12 months, but it will take longer than that for so-called green jobs to become a bigger part of the U.S. job market.
Ms. Solis told he Associated Press on Monday that new government incentives will kick-start hiring in the fledgling industry as companies regain confidence.
Those scheduled to appear at the second National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas include former President Bill Clinton, Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Al Gore will also speak.
Polls have already shown that as the economy worsened, Americans were less enthusiastic about environmental policies that would come at the expense of jobs and an improving economy.
That has created a rift between political leaders at the state and federal levels as to how aggressively the U.S. should push to create green jobs.
Money had already begun to flow into the sector at a record pace last year before new government initiatives were announced, but also before the full weight of the recession became apparent.
Wind, solar and other alternative energy companies have been forced to cut back on workers. Projects were canceled as credit markets froze and venture capital evaporated.
The Obama administration continues to authorize investments in alternative energy companies and last week announced $2.4 billion in federal grants to develop next-generation electric vehicles and batteries.
The announcements were made by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in Detroit and in a hard-hit region of Indiana.
Michigan, which has been devastated by job losses in the auto industry, would see companies within its borders get $1 billion in federal grants with the administration pushing green jobs as part of its economic cure.
The alternative energy sector could spark a new "industrial revolution," with better prospects for minorities and new training for workers with traditional vocational skills, Ms. Solis said.
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