I spent the weekend at an intensive two day training on solar technology given locally by the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) and NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) and found it a valuable, fascinating experience on multiple levels. Much of it was specifically aimed at experienced electricians and therefore over my head, but I also learned a great deal about the nuts and bolts (literally) of designing, sizing, building and costing of solar systems, the CSI (California Solar Initiative) rebate system, as well as what these unions are doing to promote the technology. It was excellent quality training as well as a VERY, VERY encouraging and amazing glimpse into the emerging Green Collar economy as seen not through political and/or environmental lenses (my area of interest) but rather from the perspective of the “brothers and sisters” who will actually be rebuilding our energy infrastructure over the coming century.
They have big, big plans to become leaders in this emerging new world of renewable energy and the leadership, at least, really gets it from both the environmental and the jobs perspective. The rank and file (at least the ones I talked to) were not much interested in the environmental or sustainable aspects of solar, which were covered in the lecture portion of the training, but mostly had an attitude of “What can solar do for me economically?” -- which may not be what dedicated environmentalists want to hear but is an important thing to know. I was impressed, however, that there was a section dedicated to showing some dramatic comparisons between truck models and GHG emissions (as well as cost savings) and there were some favorable comments from the group on this information.
In my opinion, after this experience, I see the success of the Green Economy (and therefore our best chance of mitigating the worst effects of climate crisis) as being quite dependent on selling the economic aspects of Green to the millions of workers who can feed and clothe their families from it rather than on the more altruistic environmental ideas. We still need both approaches, but should expand and reformulate our message to better support and partner with the emerging efforts going on in the trades and elsewhere. Some may fear such partnerships are ripe for greenwashing, but I can assure you the IBEW/NECA efforts are anything but.
On that note, when I read last year on a flight that Carl Pope, the Sierra Club and the US Steelworkers Union had formed a friendly working relationship I was a bit incredulous ( See Article 1 and See Article 2 ). But after this personal experience I firmly believe that environmental groups should partner with labor AND business as a linchpin of the overall strategy to effect the fastest possible change away from coal, natural gas and nuclear towards renewables. This kind of strategy is certainly not without controversy, as was outlined in the recent article in the SF Chronicle on former Sierra Club president Adam Werbach’s working relationship with Wal-Mart. But I would argue working with Wal-Mart is quite different from engaging labor unions mainly because unions and union jobs HELP build local economies, whereas the Wal-Marts of the world, while admittedly beneficial to some individuals in the community, have also proven to be quite destructive to local businesses as well as the antithesis of the emerging Buy-Local movement.
A few of the amazing things I learned were: the IBEW has already flown to China and has arranged an initial purchase of a huge number of solar panels. They're going into the distribution business themselves and will continue to purchase overseas only until they can partner with companies to build more plants here in the US, which they also plan to do. They even have plans to use their pension funds, which are substantial, to start providing financing for solar installations. Think, if you will, of the potential for tapping the pension and retirement funds of this country's unions to power the growth of the Green Economy. Especially in the trades, where union membership has been falling for many years, this money would be bringing more and more young people back into the fold which would help fund the pensions of the current members. It's a Win-Win all around.
I want to thank the IBEW and NECA for this wonderful educational opportunity. I learned a great deal--and not just about electrical connections!
