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Biden Releases Green Jobs Report

  • Oct 20, 2009

In a move that might boost the U.S. construction industry, the White House unveiled "Recovery Through Retrofit,"  a report that outlines ways to expand "green jobs" nationwide.

Based on energy efficiency retrofits of the nation's 130 million existing homes, the plan calls for a standardized home energy performance measure and an energy performance label for existing homes that would resemble the Energy Star program for appliances.

The cost of the retrofits would be added to a homeowner's property tax bill, which "attaches the costs of the energy retrofit to the property, not the individual, eliminating uncertainty about recovering the cost of the improvements if the property is sold," the report states.

The U.S. Department of Labor is among 17 federal agencies and offices that contributed to the report and participated in drafting its recommendations. DOL's role would be working with EPA, HUD, and the Department of Energy to assess current training programs that train workers for green jobs and to develop consistent models, guides, and best practices for training and certification.

On Oct. 2, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) said unemployment in the U.S. construction sector had climbed to 17.1 percent in August 2009, with 80 percent of the jobs lost that month coming from non-residential construction. On Sept. 30, AGC's Chief Executive Officer Stephen Sandherr released a new recovery plan in Reno, Nev., and said that area has been hit hardest by construction job losses. The AGC plan, "Build Now for the Future: A Blueprint for Economic Growth," calls for incentives and tax cuts to stimulate the industry. "The problems facing the construction industry aren't just devastating construction workers, they are crippling our broader economy," he said. "Simply put, you can't fix our economy until you fix the construction industry."

Comments

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 pa

This just showes how out of touch our government is with the people who actually make it work. Hopefully they will be thrown out before they do much more damage. The vacuum cleaners are sucking money out of my pocket.

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 Ken H Rhode Island

More tax obligations for our children's generation. What a great idea! Give me a break! I replaced windows and insulated because I could not afford the high cost of oil and nat gas and could see an immediate return on investment.

Wed, Oct 21, 2009

I think that our employers should just give our paychecks to the government (100% tax on our paychecks) and the government can give us a small allowance. They can regulate how much bread, milk, etc. my family can have each week. Even better, I can stop working and still get the same allowance from the government....

Wed, Oct 21, 2009

To the previous two commenters-Yes and Yes. Thank you.

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 Hari Bindal Washington DC

Seems like, this plan is by and for the rich who want to become more rich sucking money from from every body's pocket. The economy is down because the riches have sucked money from the poor and have horded it or wasted or over spent on themselves.

Tue, Oct 20, 2009

Tax my property, tax my energy, tax my income. Same ol' Same ol' from Washington Democrats, not that the Republicans were much different in actual practice. How would this fit into Obama's promise not to raise taxes on the middle class? Where in the constitution is the power to tax property giving to the Federal government? Cost added to the property and recovered at sale? So I would get the return of my taxes the day I sell my house and move into a nursing home in 40 years? What if my kids decide to move in rather that sell? I put in better windows two years ago and added more insulation last year without any requirement from the Feds. Made economic sense so I did it. May add some solar panels for warm air inputs this year. I am sure I would have to do more under Biden's plan. It is the owners or purchasers responsibility and choice to have an efficient home. Any home inspector can give you an idea of the energy efficiency of a home before the purchase. You do not need the federal governments help on this. What a bunch of BS from a guy who's total charitable contributions over the last 4 years is only $3,690 while making over $20 *** per year.

Tue, Oct 20, 2009

This is another examplle of the government giving unwarranted assistance to the unions, a pay back for winning the election. This will create another government department to control more of our lives and finances. Going green should be driven by market forces not by the government.

Tue, Oct 20, 2009

Biden's report is pure pie in the sky - only thing it is going to do is make a gov agency larger and cost employers more, which in the end will be less jobs.

Tue, Oct 20, 2009

So let me get this straight .... "The cost of the retrofits would be added to a homeowner's property tax bill, which attaches the costs of the energy retrofit to the property, not the individual" .... Unless I am planning on declaring bankruptcy and forfieting my home to foreclosure how can this NOT be attached to me?? And why would I want a federal program attaching itself to my local property taxes? I'm sorry, but this seems like yet another instance of the federal government overstepping its bounds and into the private affairs of individuals and local governments.

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