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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 7, 2008)
NOV. 7, 2008 :NWLP 11/5/08 10:04 AM Page 4 New Apollo program calls for massive investment in green jobs Labor, business, political and environmental leaders discuss plan to create clean energy, good jobs The Oregon AFL-CIO and Con- gressman Earl Blumenauer have thrown their support behind an Apollo Alliance plan calling for the federal government to invest $500 billion over the next decade to create more than 5 million “green collar” jobs in the United States. “The New Apollo Program offers a unique vision for reinvesting in Amer- ica and building our nation’s clean en- ergy future,” Blumenauer said at a press conference Oct. 17 to roll out the proposal. The gathering was held at the future Northeast Portland headquarters of McKinstry Co., a unionized con- struction contractor. In addition to Blumenauer, round- table participants included Tom Cham- berlain, president of the Oregon AFL- CIO; Cameron Hilton, business development manager for McKinstry Co.; Kate Gordon, co-director of the Apollo Alliance; Sallie Schullinger- Krause, program director for the Ore- gon Environmental Council; and Con- nie Ashbrook, executive director of Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. The Apollo Alliance is a five-year- old coalition of union, business and en- vironmental groups that is calling for major government investment in alter- native energy as a way to create new high-paying jobs for American work- ers. The group’s Oregon chapter was formed last year. Barbara Byrd, secre- tary-treasurer of the Oregon AFL-CIO, is the chapter’s chairperson. “If implemented, the New Apollo Program would do more than create solid job growth,” Chamberlain said. Chase is backing union members with the Uni on Pl us ® Mortgage Program — a home purchase and refinancing program exclusively for union members, their parents and children. “It will lead to quality jobs that can’t be shipped overseas.” Gordon, co-chair of the Apollo Al- liance, said that given the current infra- structure crisis, climate crisis, and eco- nomic crisis, “the time is clearly now to make this happen” The Apollo program will encourage the next president and Congress to in- vest $50 billion a year for 10 years to produce a “clean-energy, good-job” economy, Gordon said. Given the current economic situa- tion, some question the ability of the government to invest in the plan, but Gordon dismissed the argument that it’s not affordable. “If we can afford to give AIG $85 billion — one company to bail it out — we can do $50 billion a year to invest in our future and in our workforce and in our people and in our environment. It suddenly seems doable. And it is the time to do it,” she said. Apollo’s blueprint includes five key initiatives: • Produce 25 percent of the nation’s power from renewable sources and up- grade the energy efficiency of buildings by at least 30 percent by 2025; mod- ernize the power grid; and improve transit systems. • Retool American factories to build renewable energy systems and high-ef- ficiency and alternative fuel vehicles. • Double national investment in clean energy research and develop- ment. • Invest in green-collar job training initiatives — including job readiness and service programs, union appren- Kate Gordon, co-director of the Apollo Alliance, introduces Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer during rollout of the Alliances’ new proposal to generate cleaner power and improve energy efficiency while creating high quality jobs. The event was held at McKinstry Co.’s “green” headquarters building under construction in NE Portland. ticeships, and community and techni- cal college courses — to provide better jobs and the workforce needed to build the clean energy future. • Establish a “cap and invest” pro- gram to reduce carbon emissions and reinvest resources to build the new clean energy economy. David Allen, executive VP of mar- keting for McKinstry, is encouraged by what Apollo Alliance is proposing. “As a business, we are very happy with what the Apollo Projects is trying to do and has done,” he said. Allen said McKinstry spends $150 SERVING UNIONS FOR OVER 25 YEARS BEAVERTON, OR (503) 644-1400 Phong Bui, D.M.D. Charles Stirewalt, D.D.S. Chau Ngo, D.D.S. Stirewalt, P.C. SALEM, OR (503) 362-8359 Protecting Union Member Smiles and Wallets. 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McKinstry is a $400 million a year company with 1,700 employees. “McKinstry matches up with the Apollo Alliance values,” Allen said. “It’s about energy independence, it’s about energy efficiency, and renew- ables, and about doing the right thing. And also it is very much connected with the workforce — all coming to- gether to impact public policy — that is going to be the big challenge in the coming years.” General, cosmetic, and specialty care Most insurance and union plans accepted Easy credit and low monthly payments, O.A.C. Evening and Saturday appointments Ask about our Dental Discount Program ORTHODONTICS AVAILABLE! 100 $ OFF NON COVERED DENTAL SERVICES There may be future costs based on diagnosis. Limit one per person. Not valid on diagnostic or preventative services. Not redeemable for cash or credit. Must surrender at time of service. Valid for cash, PPO, Indemnity patients only. 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