We have heard about some of the knocks on the first draft of the economic stimulus package which has passed the House of Representatives.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/20/AR2009012003980.html?hpid=topnews

For example, of $30 billion in highway spending, less than $4 billion would occur over the next two years. Of $18.5 billion proposed for renewable energy, less than $3 billion would be spent by 2011. And of $14 billion for school construction, less than $7 billion would be spent in the first two years.

How about something that could get people working right now and help us reduce our dependence on polluting fuels.  Here is a suggestion from the National Association of Homebuilders.

http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?sectionID=0&newsID=8520

Mike Hodgson, president of the California energy consulting company ConSol, revealed the results of a study conducted for the California Homebuilding Foundation last fall. Seventy percent of the greenhouse gas emissions related to single-family envelope energy consumption can be attributed to homes built before 1983, the study found.

“Simple arithmetic demonstrates how retrofitting existing homes with energy-efficient features is four to eight times more carbon- and cost-efficient than adding further energy-efficiency requirements to new housing,” Hodgson said.

The importance of window caulking

http://endependence.info/research/videos-c-6-v-71.html

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs can be beautiful

http://endependence.info/research/videos-c-6-v-55.html

Energy Star Appliances to save lots of energy

http://endependence.info/research/videos-c-6-v-43.html

Here is a link to more great energy saving ideas from the EPA Energy Star Program

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_hpwes

The stakeholders and activists in a move toward ending dependence on polluting fuels are individuals, local communities, local, state and federal governments.

The providers of the technology, products and services needed to achieve this goal are businesses.

The people, businesses and government have to work together to conquer our energy challenges.

Notice the unusual coalition of energy conservationists, utilities, alternative energy proponents and environmentalists who are suggesting a green jobs initiative that involves all of the stakeholders and providers noted.

The Alliance to Save Energy, Edison Electric Institute, Energy Future Coalition and the Natural Resources Defense Council released proposals ranging from low-income home weatherization and energy efficiency retrofits for homes and commercial and government buildings, to strengthened national model building energy codes, enhanced product efficiency standards and energy efficiency investments by utilities. In addition to federal funds for job-creating efficiency programs, the groups asked Congress to fund the authorized Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program to help states further reduce their total energy use, reduce emissions related to fossil fuel use, and improve energy efficiency across all sectors.

http://greencollarjobsite.com/energy-environmental-groups-urge-quick-action-by-congress-to-use-energy-efficiency-programs-to-stimulate-economy-create-green-jobs/

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