Maryland Unions Versus the Green Jobs Naysayers

One of the great ironies of the national clean energy debate is that the current lack of a robust green-jobs sector is now often used as an excuse to block policies needed to grow it.

It’s a little bit like complaining that we shouldn’t waste water on a dry garden because the seeds haven’t sprouted yet.

Nevertheless, green jobs skepticism is now en vogue among some politicians, as has become clear in the debate over the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2011. More than one member of the two General Assembly committees that may vote on the bill this week have expressed concerns that the thousands of promised offshore wind energy jobs could go to neighboring states, even as they suggested waiting and letting other states take the lead on developing the Mid-Atlantic offshore wind energy industry.

In other words, they're worried about entering the race for fear we might lose. How’s that for political leadership?

If you suspect that such absurd hesitancy is just a mask for some special interest favoritism, you may be on to something. But politicians looking for political advantage in opposing the legislation are bound to see their plans backfire big time.

That’s because the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2011 represents the state’s only viable plan to revive a manufacturing sector that has seen 85,000 job losses in the last two decades—and the thousands of idle, skilled manufacturing workers in it. Indeed, those workers' faith in the promise of offshore wind energy jobs stands in direct contradiction to the skepticism of some politicians.

And that faith was on full display this past week as union activists from the United Steelworkers and the Buildings and Construction Trades Council rallied in Annapolis with hundreds of environmental activists in support of the offshore wind bill. With each wind turbine tower consisting of over 300 tons of steel, it’s no wonder the Baltimore steelworkers are such strong supporters of the Governor’s initiative. Moreover, with over 8,000 additional parts per turbine, there are plenty of jobs to go around for other workers, including the hundreds of unemployed composite workers from Salisbury Maryland. John Congedo of the company AC Wind plans to invest tens of millions to put them and possibly other Maryland workers back to work making massive carbon fiber blades – a decision which has quickly turned him into a local hero in communities across the state.

Politicians take note.

In short, Maryland boasts all the key ingredients for a successful green jobs revolution – an enormous untapped clean energy resource, a highly skilled labor force in need of work, and entrepreneurs ready to up the necessary capital.

Whether they lack the final crucial ingredient – the faith and support of the state’s policy makers is something that we may find out this week, when the Governor’s wind bill could come up for a vote in committee.

Sign the petition now to make sure those policymakers side with the workers and entrepreneurs of Maryland this week.

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