Recovery Act's Green Jobs: Weatherization in New York City

As part of the federal recovery act, $11.3 billion has been made available for weatherization and energy efficiency programs.

"People think it's cars, but actually, buildings and homes are the No. 1 emitters of greenhouse gases," says Billy Wimsatt of Green For All.

In Brooklyn, New York, the Community Environmental Center, a local nonprofit that provides weatherization services, has partnered with a local labor union and community workforce development group to create green jobs and weatherize local, low-income housing. Richard M. Cherry, president of CEC says such a program brings down heating bills for residents who suffer the most when heating costs increase, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As Tahlia Williams, a crew mechanic for the Community Environmental Center, explains that she wants to make a career out of weatherization: "I just feel good that even though it's small, I'm doing my part."

Green For All is a national organization that works with business, government, labor, and grassroots communities to build a clean energy, green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty.

YES! Magazine encourages you to make free use of this article by taking these easy steps. sshutts. (2009, November 23). Recovery Act\'s Green Jobs: Weatherization in New York City. Retrieved February 12, 2012, from YES! Magazine Web site: http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/recovery-acts-green-jobs-weatherization-in-new-york-city. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License