Hillary’s Plan to Create a Green Jobs Revolution
Creating New, High-Wage Jobs of the Future

Feb 12 | archive | subscribe

Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton believes our climate crisis presents us with a significant opportunity. She is prepared to harness America’s entrepreneurial spirit and make the bold investments necessary to lead us to an energy independent future, of which green-collar jobs are the cornerstone.

This week Clinton outlined her Green Jobs Plan, which will stimulate economic growth, end our dependence on foreign oil and provide good-paying jobs around the country. Hillary’s plan will transform the way we use energy, finally require large oil companies to pay their fair share towards renewable technologies, and create at least five million new jobs in the process.

Clinton pledges to modernize 20 million low-income homes to Improve energy efficiency. On average, energy bills account for about 14% of a low-income family’s gross income, and for many they account for 20% or more. By weatherizing homes, we can reduce heating bills by 31% and overall energy bills by $358 per year, savings that are significant for many families.

Her plan includes investing $5 billion in accelerated energy efficiency and alternative energy investments to jumpstart green collar job growth. Clinton wants to encourage families and businesses to accelerate purchases of hybrids and other low emission vehicles and to reduce energy costs by purchasing efficient appliances, new windows and other clean, efficient technologies.

She would give oil companies a choice: invest more in renewable energy technology or pay into a Strategic Energy Fund. The Strategic Energy Fund would also eliminate oil company tax breaks and make sure that oil companies pay their fair share in royalties when drilling on public lands.

Clinton has proposed a plan to raise fuel economy standards to 40 mpg by 2020 and 55 mpg by 2030. Raising CAFÉ standards will help increase demand for hybrid transmissions and other automotive innovations that rely less on foreign oil. Additionally the Senator would authorize $20 billion in low-interest "Green Vehicle Bonds" in order to provide immediate help to retool the oldest auto plants to meet her strong efficiency standards.

The Senator would invest in research and stimulate demand for the first commercial PHEVs by investing $2 billion in research and development to reduce the cost and increase the longevity and durability of batteries; offering consumers tax credits for purchasing a plug-in hybrid.

Clinton will dedicate $1 billion annually to states to enable them to make grants or low-interest loans to improve energy efficiency in public buildings, such as schools, police stations, firehouses and offices.

Lastly, Clinton would create a "Green Collar" jobs training program, targeting at-risk youth, veterans, displaced workers, and would teach them skills to install and maintain energy efficiency and renewable energy technology.

When combined with Hillary’s major investments in energy efficiency retrofits and renewable energy technologies, this training program would create a pathway out of poverty for many Americans.