Environmental Defense Fund Applauds City of Los Angeles for Approving First Municipal Program That Links Green Jobs and Green Building

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Los Angeles, April 8, 2009) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) applauds the City of Los Angeles for its leadership in establishing the nation’s first public-sector green building retrofit program that will create green jobs and reduce carbon emissions.

The ordinance calls for the green retrofitting of all city-owned buildings over 7,500 square feet or built before 1978, using guidelines from the U.S. Green Business Council and others. It sets a goal of starting 100 retrofits annually and priority will be given to projects with high community-impact level. Its green careers program features training and placement for local, low-income and underemployed workers. The ordinance creates two management positions, an interdepartmental taskforce and an advisory council of experts and stakeholders to oversee, guide and report on progress.

“The ‘Green Building Retrofit Ordinance’ shows how environment and energy policies can stimulate California’s economy. It will put people to work in green jobs, generate revenue for local businesses, save L.A. taxpayers up to $6 million in energy costs and cut global warming pollution,” said Derek Walker, director of EDF’s California Climate Initiative. “Los Angeles is setting an example that cities nationwide can follow.”

“There are tremendous opportunities for employment in the green economy and this ordinance shows how community, labor and environmental groups can work together to link environmental policies with valuable green job training, placement and apprenticeship programs,” said Tim O’Connor, attorney and climate change analyst at EDF. 

Environmental Defense Fund has published numerous regional and national green jobs studies and resources, including a California Green Jobs Guidebook done in partnership with the Ella BakerCenter for Human Rights and endorsed by the Apollo Alliance. EDF is planning to release an online map of green companies across California that are currently powering the statewide green economy - covering sectors from architecture to wind energy.

One of the fastest growing sectors of the new economy is green buildings. Buildings use approximately 40 percent of energy in California, and the least costly way to reduce emissions is by improving energy efficiency. Environmental Defense Fund is advocating for statewide green building standards and compliance measures to help California meet emissions reductions targets established by The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32). EDF is currently sponsoring AB 828 (Lieu), which would set up a collaborative interagency process for developing standards and help California maximize green building benefits.