The Federal Economic Stimulus Package and New York City -- 2009
The website for Urban Agenda, (http://urbanagenda.org) details the New York City Apollo Campaign and Advocacy recommendations as to how best to administer the proposed Federal Economic Stimulus Package funds that should be coming to NYC.
As we know at this time, there will be an emphasis on major spending to retain and create new jobs. (At the time of this entry, the House of Representatives in Washington has approved their version of the plan without any Republican support; the measure now goes to the Senate, where a similar plan is in the works.)
Included in the proposed plans is money for job creation for a wide range of workers -- from low skilled to high skilled labor, with an emphasis on jobs that provide good wages and benefits. Green and sustainable building projects are expected to be a major part of this effort.
The NYC Apollo Campaign has set criteria for these efforts. This will include, as mentioned above, creating good paying jobs, but also supporting local employment versus outsourcing (this means not just sending jobs overseas, but importing labor when good labor exists at the local level) Employment in the sustainability areas such as building retrofits and brownfield redevelopment. Infrastructure rehabilitation, rather than building new systems is mentioned here, as well.
Specifically, for NYC Mass Transit Projects, several stations on old subway lines -- the Sea Beach, West End, and Pelham lines are targeted for rehab projects. These lower profile projects have the potential of creating good union labor jobs while at the same time, making these lines safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
Energy efficiency is also targeted with proposals for expansion of the Low Income Weatherization program, creating an Efficiency Matching Fund that would provide for 100 percent matching Federal funds for all state-approved energy programs, as well as a residential Home Retrofit Program. The article goes on to mention that for each dollar spent in these programs, it is typical to see two to four dollars of savings in return.
Affordable Green Housing is also targeted via programs for the New York City Housing Authority, where $486 million in projects could be eligible.
Brownfield Redevelopment is another area where big returns are possible, as Federal programs in the past have shown a ten-fold return on initial investment. In NYC, brownfield redevelopment is handled by the Office of Environmental Remediation. All five boroughs have potential sites. A need to remove the $200,000 Federal Brownfield Cleanup Grant cap is important, as the average cost of cleaning up a brownfield site comes to three times this amount. Also, at the state level, full funding is essential in the New York State Brownfield Opportunity Areas program.
The NYC Apollo Alliance stresses the need for job readiness and training programs, a Green Jobs Center, as well as other programs through CUNY. The Green Jobs Center alone has the potential to train and place at least 2700 workers in the energy efficiency area alone. In addition, over 900 business could recieve services to either enter the area or further expand into it. Last, but not least, the Apollo Alliance makes it clear that this money must not be squandered on low paying jobs that will not lead to a sustainable economy; in fact it would actually create a new economic crisis. What is needed is the creation good "green collar" jobs that will lead people out of poverty while at the same creating a more sustainable envioronment.
As we know at this time, there will be an emphasis on major spending to retain and create new jobs. (At the time of this entry, the House of Representatives in Washington has approved their version of the plan without any Republican support; the measure now goes to the Senate, where a similar plan is in the works.)
Included in the proposed plans is money for job creation for a wide range of workers -- from low skilled to high skilled labor, with an emphasis on jobs that provide good wages and benefits. Green and sustainable building projects are expected to be a major part of this effort.
The NYC Apollo Campaign has set criteria for these efforts. This will include, as mentioned above, creating good paying jobs, but also supporting local employment versus outsourcing (this means not just sending jobs overseas, but importing labor when good labor exists at the local level) Employment in the sustainability areas such as building retrofits and brownfield redevelopment. Infrastructure rehabilitation, rather than building new systems is mentioned here, as well.
Specifically, for NYC Mass Transit Projects, several stations on old subway lines -- the Sea Beach, West End, and Pelham lines are targeted for rehab projects. These lower profile projects have the potential of creating good union labor jobs while at the same time, making these lines safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly.
Energy efficiency is also targeted with proposals for expansion of the Low Income Weatherization program, creating an Efficiency Matching Fund that would provide for 100 percent matching Federal funds for all state-approved energy programs, as well as a residential Home Retrofit Program. The article goes on to mention that for each dollar spent in these programs, it is typical to see two to four dollars of savings in return.
Affordable Green Housing is also targeted via programs for the New York City Housing Authority, where $486 million in projects could be eligible.
Brownfield Redevelopment is another area where big returns are possible, as Federal programs in the past have shown a ten-fold return on initial investment. In NYC, brownfield redevelopment is handled by the Office of Environmental Remediation. All five boroughs have potential sites. A need to remove the $200,000 Federal Brownfield Cleanup Grant cap is important, as the average cost of cleaning up a brownfield site comes to three times this amount. Also, at the state level, full funding is essential in the New York State Brownfield Opportunity Areas program.
The NYC Apollo Alliance stresses the need for job readiness and training programs, a Green Jobs Center, as well as other programs through CUNY. The Green Jobs Center alone has the potential to train and place at least 2700 workers in the energy efficiency area alone. In addition, over 900 business could recieve services to either enter the area or further expand into it. Last, but not least, the Apollo Alliance makes it clear that this money must not be squandered on low paying jobs that will not lead to a sustainable economy; in fact it would actually create a new economic crisis. What is needed is the creation good "green collar" jobs that will lead people out of poverty while at the same creating a more sustainable envioronment.
Posted by Alan L. Englander at 1/29/2009 12:14 AM 
Categories: Mass Transit Projects, Energy Efficiency, Brownfield Redevelopment, Employment Development, Affordable Green Housing, Green Building Careers
Categories: Mass Transit Projects, Energy Efficiency, Brownfield Redevelopment, Employment Development, Affordable Green Housing, Green Building Careers
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