Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release
provided by 
11.17.2008 - 08:00am ET
News from:
Clean Energy Connections
Public Invited to Network for a Green Job at Opportunity Fair and Clean Energy Conference in Springfield On Nov. 22
(CSRwire) AMHERST, Mass.- November 17, 2008 – Participants will hear what's hot and
what's only hype in green jobs, financing and investment strategies at a
Clean Energy Connections Conference and Opportunity Fair in
Springfield on Saturday, Nov. 22, organized by the University of
Massachusetts Amherst.
The event, aimed at business entrepreneurs, community leaders, investors
and workers planning their next career move, is also sponsored by Western
Massachusetts Electric and WGBY, among other organizations. It will be
held from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the MassMutual Center. An Opportunity
Fair with exhibits by more than 30 area employers will begin at 1:45
p.m.
Paul Kostecki, UMass Amherst interim vice chancellor for research and
engagement, notes that "clean energy can create local jobs, reduce
pollution and stabilize energy costs. Even as the economy tightens,
business and career opportunities in the green economy are projected to
grow. Here in New England, we are at the forefront of a nationwide
movement for clean energy. Our communities, our colleges and universities,
and our companies all stand to benefit from the rising tide of federal,
state and private sector investment in energy efficiency and renewable
power."
He adds that the event will feature some of the key organizations and
individuals who are "blazing a path toward our clean energy future."
Several panel discussions are planned. One will outline what organizers
call "the whirlwind of recent legislative activity that is setting the
stage for a dramatic acceleration of our clean energy economy." It
features state Rep. Daniel Bosley, co-chair of the Legislature's Joint
Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, with State
Sen. Ben Downing and Phil Giudice, commissioner for the Massachusetts
Department of Energy Resources. Other panels are Good Jobs, Green Jobs,
Business Success Stories, Financing Clean Energy Businesses, and Future
Energy Careers.
The conference keynote speaker will be Bracken Hendricks, a founder of the
national non-profit, Apollo Alliance. He recently collaborated with another
speaker, UMass Amherst economist Robert Pollin, on a national "Green
Recovery" study showing that a $100 billion national investment in energy
efficiency and renewable energy would create at least two million jobs
nationwide and more than 42,000 jobs in Massachusetts. Pollin will
identify sectors where new jobs and growth might be expected.
Another conference highlight will be a series of shorter presentations by
local experts on green building and construction, sustainable community
development, green collar jobs, wind energy and recent scientific
innovations that support a green economy.
Loren Walker, manager of the UMass Amherst campus's Advanced Energy
Research Initiative, notes that possible clean-energy-driven economic
growth is so compelling because it helps to create local jobs while
reducing environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels. He notes that
today some 14,000 people in Massachusetts have clean energy jobs, a number
predicted to reach 75,000 in 10 years, according to a study by the
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust.
Registration information and forms are available at www.umass.edu/green/registration.html.
For more information please contact:
Loren Walker
413/577-3725
News Categories:
Events & Entertainment and Community Development
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