Energy Efficiency + Renewable Energy = Green JOBS by the Thousands

Energy Efficiency + Renewable Energy = Green JOBS by the Thousands

Want to cut waste and save money? Need a job? This week Global American radio talks about how average Americans can cut waste and put money in their pockets -- and ride the new Green Job industry at the same time! But an important tax credit that makes this possible is about to expire unless action is taken soon.

The average American house uses twice the electricity of a typical European house and four times the power of an Asian house. It’s not just that we have more electrical gizmos laying about but it is also due to our construction codes that have produced poorly insulated, inefficient buildings – they lack radiant barriers and have plain glass windows that allow tremendous amounts of heat into the structure – heat that must be air conditioned and paid for by higher power bills.

The silver lining is that all that “fat” makes it possible, in Texas for example, to eliminate 75% of the power plants needed in the next fifteen (15) years, simply by becoming more energy efficient in our homes and commercial buildings. According to the Texas Energy Conservation organization, it is far cheaper to cut energy use through efficiency upgrades than it is to build new power plants.

Add the growth of renewable sources of energy, such as wind power and solar, and it is possible that states like Texas could double in population the next 20 years without having to build another power plant that adds to our air pollution–while creating thousands of new green jobs and millions of dollars in new revenues that will help us compete with the likes of China -- and with other states who are pushing the efficiency envelope. A group called “Power to Save” estimates that Texas could generate over 22,000 jobs and over $300 million in revenues just from green jobs like installing solar panels and wind turbines in the next decade. Being an energy state, it is a natural extension into 21st century green technologies.

“Energy Efficiency and Green Jobs” is what we discuss this week on Global American radio at 9 am Saturday on Business 1110 AM, streamed on www.Business1110KTEK.com and also available 24/7 on our website at: www.GlobalAmerican.org

Right now there is an energy efficiency race between countries and between states. Texas, for example, is a leader in the generation of wind power but has fallen from 11 to 32nd in the most energy efficient states in the past few years. Why?

Did you know that you can get a 30% tax credit up to $1,500 to make energy efficient upgrades to your house – from adding a radiant barrier, solar security window film on your windows or a more efficient air conditioner?

Did you know that this tax credit will expire on December 31, 2010 unless people urge their Congressional representatives to extend it?

Unlike the income tax cut, this tax credit helps the little guy as much as the rich one. Energy efficiency upgrades can cut up to 30% off your utility costs – enough to pay for itself even without a tax credit!

However, the law needs improvement – it only applies to buildings with double pane windows and vinyl or wood frames – when single pane windows need solar heat relief just as much or more, regardless of frame type!

If you want to keep this tax credit that is helping the U.S. become more energy efficient and saving taxpayer’s utility costs, let your Senator and Congressional rep hear from you. You can look up your representative at http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

Listen in to our program this Saturday (or online) -- and give your representative a call on November 3rd (they all seem to be out of town until then!)

Michael Fjetland
Global American Series
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GlobalAmerican
Global American Radio: www.GlobalAmerican.org

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www.ArmorGlass.com
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