Green-Jobs

EPA Announces National Grants for Green Jobs

July 12, 2011
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced today that the EPA is awarding more than $6.2 million in national environmental workforce development and green job training grants. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced today that the EPA is awarding more than $6.2 million in national environmental workforce development and green job training grants.  The money will be awarded to 21 grantees to recruit, train, and place unemployed, predominantly low-income residents in polluted areas.

The 21 governmental entities and non-profit organizations are receiving up to $300,000 each to train individuals in the cleanup of contaminated sites and health and safety, while providing training in other environmental skills, such as recycling center operator training, green building design and energy efficiency.

The investment is expected to have a major impact on the five targeted low-income Atlanta neighborhoods that will benefit from funding and training under the grant program.

“These job training grants are not just helping to create good jobs, they’re helping create good, green jobs that protect the health of local families and residents and prepare communities for continued economic growth,” says EPA Administrator Jackson. “Creating good green jobs proves that we don’t have to choose between cleaning up our air and our water or creating jobs in our communities. We’re showing that it’s possible to do both at the same time.”

Since 1998, EPA has awarded more than $35 million under the Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Program. As of May 2011, more than 6,683 individuals have been trained through the program, and more than 4,400 have been placed in full-time employment in the environmental field with an average starting hourly wage of $14.65.

EPA Nanotechnology Research

EPA Finalizes Carbon Dioxide Rules

EPA Backs Green Infrastructure Strategy

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Buildings, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Building Better Schools

Download this digital resource to better understand the challenges and opportunities in designing and operating educational facilities for safety, sustainability, and performance...

Tips to Keep Facility Management on Track

How do you plan to fill the knowledge gap as seasoned facility managers retire or leave for new opportunities? Learn about the latest strategies including FM tech innovations ...

The Beauty & Benefits of Biophilic Design in the Built Environment

Biophilic design is a hot trend in design, but what is it and how can building professionals incorporate these strategies for the benefits of occupants? This eHandbook offers ...

The Benefits of Migrating from Analog to DMR Two-Way Radios

Are you still using analog two-way radios? Download this white paper and discover the simple and cost-effective migration path to digital DMR radios that deliver improved audio...