UCLA Labor Center Report Makes A Case for Deep Green Energy Efficiency Retrofits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Thursday, May 20, 2010

CONTACT: Daniel Villao - CCA Director

Phone: 213-500-6463

Email: daniel@constructionacademy.org

UCLA Labor Center Report Makes A Case for Deep Green Energy Efficiency Retrofits

Why Basic Weatherization will Fall Short in Maximizing Carbon Reductions and Green Job Opportunities

Los Angeles, CA – Today in the United States, buildings account for approximately 40% of total energy use and 73% of total electricity use annually. A deep green approach to energy efficiency refers to the design and technical implementation of energy efficiency retrofit programs in a manner that maximizes job and business creation, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and energy savings as compared to basic weatherization.

“The Case for Deep Green Energy Efficiency” report, which has just been released by the California Construction Academy (a project of the UCLA Labor Center) highlights how and why a deep green approach to energy efficiency can unlock the opportunities mentioned above. The report outlines recommendations for developing clear program objectives and outcomes for a deep green approach to energy efficiency. Click here to read the report, or access it through the CCA Website.

Stakeholders and decision-makers who are interested in achieving significant reductions in energy consumption and expanding green job opportunities should opt for a deep green approach to an energy efficiency retrofit program over those that only do basic weatherization, or those that advocate for starting with basic rebate measures instead of beginning with a comprehensive building audit.

In the residential market, basic weatherization traditionally includes “lowest hanging fruit” elements such as insulation, air sealing, and pipe-wrapping. Deep green energy efficiency work takes a “whole-house” approach to retrofits by including a whole building audit at the beginning of a retrofit process, and consists of electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning, water conservation, and other energy and water-related upgrades.

As compared to basic weatherization and/or appliance upgrades, a comprehensive deep green energy efficiency retrofit unlocks the largest opportunities to reduce the amount of energy used by buildings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase indoor air quality and comfort, and create the largest number of green career opportunities in construction and other industries.

Deep green energy efficiency shaped through comprehensive audits will help local municipalities, states, and the federal government accomplish program objectives and meet the “triple-bottom line” goals of economic growth and stability, responsible environmental stewardship, and social justice and equity.

For municipally-run programs, the authors of the report recommend the following program objectives for a deep green approach to energy efficiency:

1) Maximize reductions in green house gas emissions;

2) Maximize potential energy savings;

3) Maximize the opportunities to generate high-road apprenticeable jobs, and business development opportunities (within the construction sector & indirect sectors);

4) Strengthen community-labor-management-municipal relationships; and

5) Educate community on energy-saving and green behaviors.

The authors of the report recommend the following design components for effective implementation of a deep green energy efficiency program:

1) Targeted outreach and education based on neighborhood geography and demographics (determined by available financing)

2) Detailed analysis of building stock, building types, tenancy, and utility metering

3) A turn-key approach to program delivery (one-stop for the customer)

4) Local hire job opportunities and enforceable labor standards

5) Work begins with standardized, BPI/RESNET certified, whole building audits

6) Aggregated and bundled contracts by a public-private Coordinating Entity

7) Immediate improved comfort and/or energy savings for participants

8) Sustainable financing options based on consumer type

9) Third party certification of savings, including monitoring and verification of completed work

Through careful consideration of best practices in the home performance and construction industry, and along side community groups’ desire for jobs and equity, cities can accomplish simultaneous objectives through the design and technical implementation of deep green energy efficiency programs.

The California Construction Academy (CCA), a project of the UCLA Labor Center, provides leadership, coordination, and research on the most relevant issues facing the construction industry throughout the State of California. The CCA accomplishes these objectives through convening educational meetings on workforce development, conducting research on innovative and impactful trends in the construction industry, disseminating research on relevant policy initiatives, and facilitating multi-stakeholder collaborations. For more information, go to http://constructionacademy.org/

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Advocates Rally for Green Transportation Spending

Environmental, business and labor groups rallied outside the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority Building. The groups advocate completing transportation projects planned for the next 30 years in just 10 years to help spur California’s economy. The “30 in 10 Plan” as it’s called will use Measure R Funds for improvement projects such as light rail, bus ways and bike paths.

President Trumka Visits Local 11

AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka visited IBEW Local 11’s Electrical Training Institute on his recent visit to California. He spoke to an apprenticeship training class about his experiences working in the coal mines of southwest Pennsylvania.  President Trumka was elected into office on September 16^th along with AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler who came from the IBEW and is the first ever woman to be elected to the position. 

Green Opportunities at California Construction Expo

There will be many Green opportunities for contractors, designers, exhibitors, sponsors, construction professionals, and suppliers at the upcoming California Construction Expo.

It’s a huge annual event that draws the best in the green construction industry. Registration is now open for the August 13th, 2009 event at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Contractors could potentially find access to public contracts from $5,000 to $100,000,000.

Register at http://www.calconexpo.com/ Admission is $55; after July 31 it goes up to $70. A full access pass includes all events, workshops and exhibits. Exhibitors can get a discount before July 31st too. A standard exhibit will run $700. For more information call 1-(877) 8CalCon or send email to info@calconexpo.com . I’ll see you there!

Labor's Own Think Tank

The UCLA Downtown Labor Center sponsored a 2 day conference called the California Construction Academy. It is a think tank for Statewide Building Trades representatives from the most active unions. The focus of the event was economic justice for those who face barriers to employment and rebuilding California’s dwindling middle-class. The statistics are staggering; 35-50% of craft workers will be retiring within the next 3-5 years. The growing need for apprenticeship training needs to be met in order to fill those positions. Union organizers participated in breakout sessions to help identify solutions. The majority of training in the construction industry in Los Angeles is done by Joint Apprenticeship Training.

Watch Your Step Northridge Seniors

7AM Thursday January 10, 2008 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, CA– Pedestrians could be seen walking along the side walk where a new apartment complex is under construction. Parts of the fence have been removed exposing a hole approximately 4 feet deep. The sidewalk open, no safety cones, handrail, or even caution tape to identify the danger. Electrical wires protrude from the hole from what appears to be damaged electrical conduits and rest on the steel plate where pedestrians walk. Are the wires energized? No one seams to know ........

Some residents have complained that the project is taking too long. Others are concerned about the obvious lack of concern for people walking on the sidewalk. My recommendation is to contact the city as well as OSHA and Watch Your Step.

Schwarzenegger to Take Away Workers Lunch Breaks

Conservative lawmakers are at it again, launching more attacks against workers over the issue of lunch breaks. If it seems like we just went through this scenario a few years ago, you are right. Similar attacks in 2004 and 2005 were deflected when outraged union members stood up to powerful industry lobbyists. At that time the Governor and his cronies were forced to withdraw their anti-worker proposals. You can help stop their latest attack by writing a letter to:

The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement
PO Box 420603
San Francisco, CA 94142

Let the DLSE know that California workers will not be denied their lunch breaks and that employers who refuse to provide time for a lunch break should be forced to compensate workers with overtime pay.