Green Energy and Job Creation Working Session Highlights
June 9, 2009

MAPC launched its Green Energy and Job Creation campaign at its June 9th MetroFuture: From Plan to Action event.  This session was designed to help participants and MAPC learn more about local green energy initiatives; learn about past, present, and future challenges facing proponents of alternative energy sources in the region; and consider how MAPC and MetroFuture could best support local efforts to meet our green energy goals.  Green energy initiatives offer exciting prospects to improve environmental sustainability, and simultaneously create cost savings, new revenues, and good jobs.  The MetroFuture plan strives for a Greater Boston region that’s not only less dependent on fossil fuels, but a leader in the field of green energy innovation and green jobs.  MetroFuture’s green energy and job creation campaign seeks to achieve these goals through research on current practices, best practices, barriers and opportunities; technical assistance; education and outreach to provide information and experience-sharing opportunities for municipalities, boards, and individuals interested in renewable energy initiatives; and advocacy for projects and public policies.

At this working session, Sam Cleaves, MAPC’s Senior Regional Planner, and Jim Hunt, Chief of Environmental and Energy Services for the City of Boston, began the working session with remarks on current green energy initiatives being undertaken by the City of Boston, MAPC, and around the region.  Although the past federal administration did not prioritize alternative energy work, cities around the country like Boston took on independent projects on their own, promoting green building, and alternative energy installation. 

During the interactive session that followed, participants discussed a variety of topics related to the increased use of green energy and the “greening” of the region.  Participants in the table discussions talked about local efforts to promote alternative energy in their towns. Among the ways to encourage green energy in municipalities that were discussed, education emerged as a crucial component, necessary to build support and combat “NIMBYism.”  Participants also stressed the importance of assistance to individuals and businesses, like energy audits and tax credits for making “greener” choices. 

Other discussions centered around the creation of green jobs in the Boston region, noting the existence of many organizations and institutions that already provide jobs in this area.  The intersection of economic development and green technology was of particular interest to many, who discussed ways to expand green energy programs in local community colleges.  Building collaborative relationships between different levels of government, neighboring municipalities, organizations, and institutions was considered key, a necessary step to ensure that all were working towards common goals for the future. 

MAPC is continuing to analyze notes from this working session, and will incorporate the knowledge and ideas of participants, as well as invite them to join, the Green Energy and Job Creation campaign.

Click here to download the working session background paper as a pdf.

For more information, visit the Green Energy Planning campaign page.