|
Click on photo to view larger image
|
Moving toward his goal to support 100,000 green jobs in Maryland by 2015, Governor Martin O’Malley convened Maryland's first Green Economy Forum July 14 at Montgomery Park in Baltimore. The Governor received an aggressive plan to create and retain green jobs, support clean and renewable energy, protect Maryland’s communities, and preserve the State's natural resources.
The Green Jobs & Industry Task Force, a group of public and private sector leaders including green business owners, industries, workforce development experts, and Cabinet Secretaries convened by the Governor in March, presented recommendations to capitalize on the emerging green economy. As part of the Forum, the Governor led a roundtable with small business owners, green industry experts, and others to discuss ways to capitalize on clean and renewable energy, environmental remediation, and sustainable development.
“Green jobs are growing nationally at a rate two-and-a-half times faster than overall jobs. They are not only key to our economic recovery today but are the jobs that will fuel the economy of tomorrow," said Governor O’Malley. “Our highly educated workforce, wealth of natural resources, and progressive policies make Maryland uniquely positioned to grow our green economy and create the kinds of jobs that will ensure a more sustainable future for all Marylanders.”
“The recommendations presented today clearly demonstrate that Maryland is on the forefront of the emerging green economy,” said Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary Christian S. Johansson, who chaired the Task Force. “We look forward to working in partnership with employers, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to implement relevant and meaningful strategies to help Maryland’s green industries create jobs, employ more sustainable practices, and preserve our communities.”
“As an executive in the emerging green industry, I believe that these recommendations capture the input of many green employers in Maryland,” said Kerinia Cusick, Task Force member and Director, Mid-Atlantic Government Affairs for Sun Edison. “The Task Force team members look forward to continuing our collaboration as these recommendations are implemented.”
The Task Force report focused on six key recommendations:
-
Promote energy and resource efficiency efforts;
-
Develop and foster clean, local energy production, and industrial capacity;
-
Capitalize upon economic opportunities to restore and protect Maryland’s natural resources;
-
Promote sustainable development practices that create jobs, generate prosperity, and make Maryland more self-reliant;
-
Increase access to capital for green businesses and projects; and
-
Strengthen coordination and communication across State agencies, partners, and stakeholders to provide strategic vision for advancing a green economy.
Click here for the executive summary or the full report.
Click here to view the Green Jobs Forum videos. Scroll down the right side to find the index of videos.
The O’Malley-Brown Administration has already invested nearly $10 million in federal Recovery Act funds to finance large scale energy overhauls throughout Maryland. More than 160 local communities in 13 counties have already received these grants, and their work is supporting countless green jobs across our State.
|
