Green Jobs, Green Energy Summit
“El Poder Verde”
The California Latino Legislative Caucus hosted the Green Jobs, Green Energy Summit (El Poder Verde) on October 29, 2009. With California on the forefront of tackling global warming through its leadership role in promoting renewable energy and its commitment to growing a new “green-collar” workforce, the policy forum was designed to bring together regulators, elected officials, business leaders and community representatives to educate and develop strategies to promote investment and job creation.
The Green Jobs Summit provided a timely opportunity to discuss California’s current economic challenges and heavy job losses. The greening of the State’s economy was universally reported by participants as an ideal opportunity to maximize the innovation in renewable energy and highly skilled labor market in California, while helping to reduce carbon emissions. Particular attention was directed at providing high quality and lasting employment in poor and underserved communities.
Photos of Green Jobs, Green Energy Summit |
|||
 |
 |
 |
 |
Featured Speakers and Presenters included:
Karen Douglas – Chairman, California Energy Commission
State Senator Gilbert Cedillo – Chair – California Latino Legislative Caucus
Then Assembly Speaker Karen Bass
Former State Senator Martha Escutia
State Assemblymember Manuel Perez
State Senator Fran Pavley
Panama Bartholomy – Advisor to Commissioner Karen Douglas, California Energy Commission
Orson Aguilar – Executive Director, The Greenlining Institute
Rafael Aguilera – Director, Verde Group
Raquel Rivera Pinderhughes – Professor, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, San Francisco State University
Barbara Halsey – Executive Director, The California Workforce Investment Board
Carl Wood – National Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Utility Workers Union of America
Dian Grueneich – Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission
Oscar Abarca – Deputy Executive Officer, Legislative & Public Affairs, South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD)
Ian Kim – Green-Collar Jobs Campaign Director, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
Louise Perez – Executive Director, Community Resource Project, Inc.
Tim Rainey – Executive Director, Workforce and Economic Development, California Labor Federation
Elsa Barboza – Campaign Director, Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE)