YAKIMA, Wash. -- Sen. Maria Cantwell said Wednesday that she's aiming to include more generous energy tax credits in jobs legislation under discussion in Congress, saying that green energy is a multitrillion-
dollar market waiting to explode.

Getting plugged in & connected to the green marketplace

“Energy efficiency is hot and sexy” was the quote of the day nearly 100 women gathered at CCSE’s Energy Resource Center for the green jobs for women roundtable in November.

Appreciation night recognizes important role of volunteers

“We couldn’t have done it without you” was the repeating theme during Volunteer Appreciation Night at CCSE as several dozen staff and volunteers gathered in the Energy Resource Center for an evening of fun and socializing on Nov. 19.

The dinner event recognized the efforts of more than 60 individuals who support CCSE by volunteering to assist with administrative services, help at special events, provide information to the public and perform other activities that facilitate CCSE’s programs. Executive Director Irene Stillings hosted the event and told the volunteers that these are good times for promoting sustainability and CCSE and that she is “delighted you are marching with us.”

California green jobs program largest in nation

It was good news for San Diego when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the awarding of $27 million in grants to jump-start the California Clean Energy Workforce Training Program, the largest state-sponsored green jobs training program in the nation. Under the program’s first phase, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District will receive the maximum award of $1,000,000 for a broad-based initiative in which CCSE is participating as a member of the San Diego Green Building Training Collaborative.

The California Center for Sustainable Energy is providing a forum bringing together experts from training, education, labor and workforce develop-ment communities in San Diego. Brief presentations will be followed by an open discussion of experiences and lessons learned in the green jobs movement. This event is being conducted under a contract with the Dept. of Labor, Women’s Bureau Region 9. The roundtable is free and open to the public.

The California Solar Training Partnership received $3.5 million of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ( ARRA) funding awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a regional resource and training center. The center, one of nine in the nationwide Installer Instructor Training Network, will enable California to build a highly capable clean energy workforce and to maintain its worldwide leadership in solar energy.