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The program leverages federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds, public-private partnerships and state and local funding, to train over 20,000 new or re-skilled clean energy workers to build a workforce capable of performing the jobs necessary to meet the state’s goals of renewable energy development, climate change reduction, clean transportation and green building construction for a new green economy.
“The Clean Energy Workforce Training Program is the perfect example of how California is utilizing federal economic stimulus dollars and public-private partnerships to invest in our state’s workforce and jumpstart our economy,” said Schwarzenegger.
“By developing a highly-trained workforce, ready and capable to perform clean energy jobs, we will be able to expand our clean energy industries and drive a strong green economy in the state. This program is critical because it will target unemployed, underemployed and new members of the workforce at a time when we must do everything possible to help Californians return to work. With the nation’s largest state-sponsored green jobs training program, California is paving the way for a new economic foundation for the 21st century, showing once again that what benefits the environment also benefits the economy,” Schwarzenegger said.
The California Recovery Taskforce in collaboration with the Green Collar Jobs Council and the California Energy Commission (CEC), the California Employment Development Department (EDD), the Employment Training Panel and the California Workforce Investment Board are leading this statewide partnership of state agencies, educational institutions, local workforce investment boards, community organizations and employers to deliver 21st century training programs for workers with all levels of experience.
The CEWTP targets populations of unemployed workers, particularly from the construction sector, existing workers requiring re-skilling to prepare for clean energy industry, low-wage workers and youth preparing to enter the workforce.
It will support regional workforce training programs at community colleges or workforce investment boards and partnership academies in high schools that deliver training on professional and personal skills development for energy efficiency, water efficiency, renewable energy and clean transportation. This will prepare individuals for jobs as solar installers, sustainable landscapers and water systems designers and green building designers, among other professions.
California is leveraging $20 million in Recovery Act funds along with $15 million from the CEC’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, $12 million from the Public Interest Energy Research Program, $5 million in EDD Workforce Investment Act funds and over $23 million in public-private partnership matching funds to invest in the $75 million comprehensive program that will train clean energy workers and educate thousands of students about the opportunities in the clean energy sector.
The first solicitation for proposals from this program was released on Aug. 6. Regional training partnerships can apply for $46 million in regional workforce development programs: $23 million in Recovery Act and state funding and $23 million in matching funds from public–private partnerships. Proposals are due September 16. Information about the solicitation process is available on the CEC’s Green Jobs website: www.energy.ca.gov/greenjobs .
The governor has shown leadership and demonstrated a commitment to developing the state’s green workforce.
The governor has:
Launched the California Green Jobs Corps, an initiative to build up communities and the state’s green workforce by placing at-risk young adults aged 16-24 into jobs in California’s emerging green economy.
Signed AB 118 by Former Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) which established the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program which is helping to fund CEWTP.
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NICE – Beginning in September, Teo's Lakeside Bistro will host weekly “Tapas Thursdays.”
On Thursdays from Sept. 24 through Oct. 22, Teo's will serve up delicious foods paired with local wines from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Tapas Thursdays schedule is as follows:
Sept. 24: Noggle Vineyards and Winery with winemaker Michael Noggle;
Oct. 1: High Valley Vineyards with Dustin and Bobby Brassfield;
Oct. 8: Tulip Hill Winery with Chris Skarada;
Oct. 15: Snows Lake Vineyards with John Adriance.
Oct. 22: Six Sigma Ranch and Winery with Walt Cambell.
Teo's Lakeside Bistro is located at 2570 Lakeshore Blvd. in Nice, located near the Boathouse and next door to the "Leaky Tiki."
Visit the Tapas Thursdays Web site, www.tapasthursdays.vpweb.com/ .
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The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Corkman's Clipper Irish Pub, 14677 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake.
The guest speaker will be Bob Schneider, Tuleyome’s senior policy director.
Schneider will show a 10-minute presentation on the proposed Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area.
RSVP to the chamber at 707-994-3600.
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The California Department of Food and Agriculture is accepting written comments on the document and scheduled seven comment sessions to receive public input, three of which have already occurred.
“The draft Environmental Impact Report is not a treatment plan but a comprehensive document used for evaluating options and to identify potential significant environmental impacts as well as other components of the program since it began in 2007,” said John Connell, director of Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services at CDFA. “We are asking the public to review the document and offer comments, or they may participate in one of the seven comment sessions throughout the state.”
The EIR evaluates the environmental effects of various strategies and methods for treating the Light Brown Apple Moth in portions of the state where infestations have been identified.
The moth feeds on host plants and damages or spoils the appearance of ornamental plants, citrus, grapes, and deciduous fruit tree crops.
The moth, which was discovered in the Bay Area in the spring of 2007, has forced state and federal quarantines in numerous California counties.
Approximately 3,473 square miles are now under quarantine within California and more than 110,000 moths have been trapped.
State and federal quarantine regulations prohibit the movement of all nursery stock, all cut flowers, and all host fruits and vegetables and plant parts within or from the quarantined area unless it is certified as free from the pest by an agricultural official; is purchased at a retail outlet; or was produced outside the area and is passing through in accordance with accepted safeguards.
Currently one fifth of all wine grapes in Sonoma County are under quarantine. Earlier this summer the moth damaged organic berry crops at several farms in the Watsonville area and also has been found inland in Yolo and San Joaquin counties.
The Light Brown Apple Moth is native to Australia and is found in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Hawaii. The range of host plants is broad with more than two-thousand plant species known to be susceptible to attack by this pest, and more than 250 crops.
Officials say it threatens California’s environment – including cypress and oak trees – by destroying, stunting or deforming young seedlings and damaging new growth in the forest canopy. State and federal agriculture officials are currently developing sterile insect technology to combat the infestation.
Issues raised from comment letters and during the comment sessions will be incorporated into a final report and then made available to the public in the form of a final EIR.
More information, including the draft EIR report, can be found at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/lbameir .
The remaining public comment sessions will be held at the following locations:
Sacramento
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
East End Complex
1500 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Sonoma
Wednesday, Aug. 26, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Sonoma County Veterans Memorial Hall
126 First St. West
Sonoma, CA 95476
Watsonville
Monday, Aug. 31, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Watsonville Civic Plaza community Room
275 Main St., 4th Floor (sixth level in the parking lot garage)
Watsonville, CA 95076
Oakland
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Elihu M. Harris Building Auditorium Building
1515 Clay St.
Oakland, CA 94612
The deadline for written comments is Monday, Sept. 28.
Comments may be sent to Jim Rains, staff environmental scientist, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services, 1220 N St., second floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.