Welcome to the Allies in Energy Blog where the discussion is centered on helping good people find great opportunities in the clean energy industry. With over 15 million unemployed in US and two of the largest growth sectors in the near future expected to be in healthcare and clean energy there is no better time to start exploring new opportunities. We invite industry and talented people to share their thoughts and comments regarding finding and getting positions in the clean energy industry.

There are three essentials that set Allies in Energy apart from other employment services firms. And they all come down to focus.

A focus on the clean energy sector. We specialize and only work with companies in or servicing the clean energy sector. Any staffing company can find you people but do they really understand what they are looking for, the culture of the sector and the elements that will make the difference between a and good and a great hire?  Unless you live and breathe clean energy, we say “no way.” This kind of understanding only comes from experience and focus. Those we’ve got in spades.

A focus on small and emerging companies. Our core business is structured and engineered to service the needs of this segment of the industry. We do work with larger companies, but small and emerging companies have unique needs, challenges and requirements that our services are especially designed to meet. For example, in small and emerging companies senior executives are often making most if not all of the hiring decisions and the process of interviewing and hiring new people takes a great deal of time that senior executives don’t have. To address this issue, our talent specialists compile a detailed assessment and analysis of all interactions and information with leading candidates so that executives can quickly review and decide who they would like to spend their valuable time interviewing.

A focus on the process. In the staffing world our process is known as Recruitment Process Management (RPM) or Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO). However, to us it’s about our clients’ hiring processes. We tailor our approach to each client’s specific needs at each stage of their growth. Our focus is to help our clients develop, follow and manage a thorough, legal and results-orientated process that helps them build their business one great hire at a time. From working with hiring managers to define positions, responsibilities and search criteria to the final stages of bringing a new hire on-board, we aid and assist our clients with any and all aspects of the process.

At Allies in Energy our goal is to help our clients find and hire the best people, keep them on-board and get the highest level of performance. We recognize our success is directly linked to the growth and success of our clients.

On that we stay focused.

The government has been stating that green jobs are the future of the green economy, with green job growth growing 2.5 times faster than overall job growth according to the Pew Charitable Trust. Large amounts of investments have been put into green energy and clean energy as the future of the energy sector.

Yet how is the government actually going to measure green job growth and creation? For that matter,
how do you measure something that is as hard to define as a “green job?” This vague definition of a green job causes a lot of contention among states and environmental activists alike.

For now, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has settled with determining which jobs are “green” by “identifying activity that either preserves or restores the environment by examining both a business’s output and process, and counting the associated jobs.”

This definition means that across a range of industries and occupations some unexpected jobs are still defined as “green.” Solid waste collection? Green collar. Employment at a science museum? Green collar. Selling anything organic? Green collar.

Yet, despite the unclear definition, it is clear that more states are seeking to promote themselves as “green.” States like Nevada have invested in wind energy and solar energy. These investments increase the number of local green jobs and increase the growth for the state to grow into a predominantly green economy, as well as allowing the state to receive the tax incentives that follow with the green movement.

Although the definition of what a “green job” is may not be set in stone, the opportunities within the area are undeniable. Firms like Allies in Energy, a clean energy staffing company, help people and emerging businesses decipher industry definitions to get the right people they need to succeed in the green economy.

With new governmental initiatives like the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act it seems that green jobs are at the center of growth in the job sector. However, there are still rumors of an “eco-trend” that will die out, and the environmentally sustainable job sector along with it. With seemingly conflicting public opinions, it can be hard to know whether green jobs are just a fad or are here for good.

A new poll by The Career College Association (CCA) conducted by the Harris Initiative during March 9-11, 2010 of 2,099 adults gives good insights into the public opinion on green jobs.

A majority of respondents found that there were positive benefits to green jobs, like those in the clean and renewable energy sector, both to the American economy and to the environmental movement as a whole. 61% strongly/ somewhat agree that expanding green jobs will have a positive effect on the U.S. economy and 72% strongly/somewhat agree that the expansion of green jobs will help preserve a higher quality environment. Also, 63% strongly/somewhat agree that more green jobs would have a positive outcome on energy costs.

Most people see the benefits of green jobs, and think that they are a critical part of the growth of the economy. The government, with the institution of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, seems to think so too. This Act includes $600 million just for green jobs and training, and billions of dollars for projects related to renewable energy and grid expansion and improvement. In addition, according to research from the nonprofit organization The Pew Charitable Trust, jobs in the clean energy economy in the US grew almost tow and a half times faster than jobs in the overall economy between 1998 and 2007.

The government and people’s belief in the potential for the environmental sector indicates that green energy jobs are here for good. However, despite this most people do not know about the opportunities available in this field.
Less than one-third (29%) of American adults are aware of the growing availability of green employment and only one percent have a job in the green sector, or are considering this type of employment. CCA president Henry A. Miller also stated that this study shows “that public understanding of green jobs is not uniform, and that workers who might form the green jobs workforce of the future, particularly at the lower rungs of the education ladder, need to know more about practical steps they can take to prepare today.”

So are green jobs a fad or not?

The public opinion poll given by CCS indicates that people see the future in green jobs and government investment predicts future growth. Yet many people do not know about this growing sector.

All this indicates that green jobs are here for good—it’s just a matter of whether you know it or not.

Allies in Energy works specifically to help inform people of green jobs by providing employment services to growing clean energy companies. By connecting these companies with potential hires, Allies in Energy is on the frontlines of the growth in the green clean job movement.

How the Renewable Energy Community Can Help Haiti – from Renewable Energy World

Bob Freling of Solar Electric Light Fund discusses ways people involved in the renewable energy community can help Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit there. Click here to read the full article.

State Announces 5,200 Jobs, $77 Million Investment – from WWJ Newsradio

Seven companies are receiving help to grow their businesses from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. There are eight projects total that will create 5,210 new jobs. The projects and companies are listed in this article for more details. Click here to read the full article.

Renewable Energy Incubator Launches in Southern Utah – from The Main Street Business Journal

Utah has invested in a new business incubator focusing on renewable energy and technology. The incubator was an attractive idea to that state because of the 87% success rate of business involved in an incubator. Click here to read the full article.

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley Highlights 2010 Clean Energy Agenda – from GovMonitor

Governor Martin O’Malley released his 2010 Clean Energy Agenda for the state of Maryland yesterday. The agenda aims to increase both job creation and clean energy in the state. The clean energy agenda focuses on both solar and wind as renewable energy sources to build upon in Maryland. Click here to read the full article.

DuPont to expand production in Circleville – from Chilicothe Gazette

DuPont’s plant in Pickaway County, Ohio is set to expand, creating 270 construction jobs and 70 manufacturing jobs at the plant. The expansion will produce Tedlar film, used to manufacture solar panels to produce renewable energy. Click here to read the full article.

Algae Research Expected to Yield Green Jet Fuel, Diesel, Gas – from Environmental News Service

Biomass technologies are the latest renewable energy source to receive funding from the Obama administration with $78 million awarded to the sector. The funding will be used to create green fuels, diesel and gas using algae for aviation. Click here to read the full article.

Shumlin: Yes to clean energy; No to Enexus – from BurlingtonFreePress.com

Vermont Senator Peter Shumlin’s opinion piece lobbies for Vermont to renewable energy legislation. Sen. Shumlin also says Vermont residents must vote against relicensing Vermont Yankee for a 20 year extension to provide energy. Click here to read the full article.

Obama Allots Funding for Green Jobs, Here’s Where to Find Them – from Earth911.com

You’ve heard about all the tax credits and funding allotted to creating green jobs, but where are these jobs going to be? This blog post from Earth911 outlines where many green and clean energy jobs will be created as a result of the funding. Click here to read the full article.

Iberdrola signs largest renewable energy sale contract ever in US – from EITB

The Tennessee Valley Authority has landed the largest renewable energy contract ever in the U.S. with the US subsidiary of Iberdrola Renovables. The 20-year agreement will build on a wind farm in Tennessee. Click here to read the full article.

Fact Sheet: News on the Recovery Act – from American Chronicle

A brief overview of the Recovery Act and how it is being allotted for green job training and the creation of clean energy jobs. Click here to read the full article.  

Group aims to gain support for wind energy hub – The Virginian-Pilot

Local Virginia politicians and business leaders are creating a group, The Virginia Offshore Wind Association, in hopes to build support for a new wind farm off the coast of Virginia. The group estimates the push for a green energy industry in the area could create 10,000 jobs. Click here to read the full article.

Wind Project Approval Will Recharge State’s Economy – from North American Clean Energy

Wisconsin’s largest wind farm project has been approved by the Public Utilities Commission. The90-turbine wind farm, Glacier Hills, will be built in Columbia County. Click here to read the full article.

Green Energy Opportunities Start with Smart Climate Policy – from Environmental Leader

Frances Beinecke, President of Natural Resources Defense Council, discusses climate policy in the United States and the opportunity for clean energy in our country. Click here to read the full article.

Construction to begin soon on Fitzgerald energy plant – from WALB NBC News, Georgia

Construction on a new biomass energy plant is set to begin in the next few months in an unemployment ridden region of Georgia. The new plant will create jobs both at the plant and in other areas such as construction. Click here to read the full article.

Kaine pushes Southside towards a greener future – from WDBJ 7 News, Virginia

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine wants Virginia to be part of the country’s move toward renewable and clean energy. He announced $10 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will go toward 15 energy projects in Virginia. Click here to read the full article.

St. Louis receives nearly $50 Million for Biofuels Development, green Jobs – from The St. Louis American

Almost $50 million from the Recovery Act has been awarded to the St. Louis region to develop biofules and create clean energy jobs. Job training will be provided to nearly 900 people from high poverty areas to enable them to obtain clean energy jobs. Click here to read the full article.

New Mexico Announces Bold Agenda For Future Green Economy – from the Gov Monitor

On Wednesday New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed an executive order outlining New Mexico’s agenda for a green economy. The Governor’s Green Jobs Cabinet produced the report with five main goals in mind. Click here to read the full article.

Creating jobs, balancing the budget top priorities – from Clinton Herald

Iowa Representative Polly Bukta shares her priorities for 2010 in office. Renewable energy growth in the state is among her outlined priorities including job creation within the industry. Bukta points to the fact that Iowa is the second leader in the country in wind energy production to emphasis the clean energy initiatives. Click here to read the full article.

Report finds region ripe for green economic future – from Buffalo News

With the Buffalo-Niagara’s history of manufacturing and skilled work force laborers, alternative energy is thought to be an industry that can prosper in the region. Buffalo Niagara Enterprise produced a 162-page report funded by National Grid that points to many factors as to why the area is key to the clean energy industry and technologies. Click here to read the full article.

Stimulus saved or created up to 2 million jobs in 2009, White House says – from Los Angeles Times

The Obama Administration is crediting the $787 billion stimulus package as helping save or create 1.5 to 2 million jobs in 2009. Only $5 billion of $90 billion of the stimulus money for clean energy has been spent with more to be spent in the future. Click here to read the full article.

O’Malley to push clean energy bills – from Baltimore Sun

As President Obama is set to visit Lanham, MD today to discuss clean energy jobs and job training, Maryland Governor O’Malley said he will push legislators to pass a package of renewable energy initiatives. Click here to read the full article.

Governor visits Mountain View startup to tout green jobs plan – from Silicon Valley Mercury News

Governor Schwarzenegger visited Cobalt Biofuels, a clean energy startup company in CA, yesterday to discuss a proposed tax exemption for clean energy manufacturing equipment. Click here to read the full article.

Maryland eyes clean energy economy, considers additional reforms – from CivSource

The Maryland Energy Administration produced a report, Maryland Energy Outlook, to help the state achieve clean energy related goals. Over the last two years, Governor Martin O’Malley has implemented numerous clean energy goals and incentives. Click here to read the full article.

White House Highlights Foundation For America’s Clean Energy Economy – from Gov Monitor

The White House outlines President Obama’s clean energy initiatives and progress of clean energy policies and job creation thus far in the Administrations inaugural year in office. Clean energy incentives will continue to be a main focus of the Administration in 2010. Click here to read the full article.

White House Awards Manufacturing Tax Credits To Clean Energy Projects – from Renew Grid

As announced last week, President Obama has awarded $2.3 billion in tax credits for clean energy manufacturing projects. Forty-three states will account for 183 clean energy projects funded by these tax credits. This article links to a full list of projects.  Click here to read he full article.  

Energy Department to Offer Funding for Vehicle Fuel-Efficiency – from Wall Street Journal

Nine projects that will work to improve vehicle fuel-efficiency will be awarded $187 billion in grants. Eight of the nine projects will be based in Michigan and Indiana with the other project by Daimler’s AG truck unit to be based in Oregon. Click here to read the full article.

Donovan Group To Help On Green-Jobs Strategy – from Hartford Courant

Connecticut House Speaker Christopher Donovan formed a group, The Green Jobs Coordination and Policy Committee, to help create jobs in the renewable energy industry for the state. The group is made of clean energy experts and representatives from technical schools and environmental groups, among others. Click here to read the full article.

Unemployment Solutions: $2.3 Billion For Green Jobs, Clean Energy Positions To Create 17,000 Jobs – from Red White and Blue Press

President Obama announced $2.3 billion in tax incentives to fund the creation of clean energy projects that will result in the addition of 17,000 clean energy jobs. The jobs created by this funding must begin by 2013, with 1/3 of the jobs expected to begin this year. Click here to read the full article.

Hemlock Semiconductor, four Great Lakes Bay companies net $200 million tax break – from MLive.com

Five companies in the Great Lakes Bay region received $200 million in tax breaks. Hemlock Semiconductor’s President saw this tax break as a reassurance that green jobs are real and will continue to be created. Click here for the full article.

Solar, wind tax breaks to aid Arizona – The Arizona Republic

$30 million in tax breaks will be awarded to six solar power equipment factories in Arizona. An additional $45 million will be awarded to five other Arizona based solar and wind energy companies if they expand their operations to other states in the U.S. Click here to read the full article.

Eco-officers are moving into executive suites – from Los Angeles Times

As climate change, the environment and clean energy continue to emerge and gain attention as important issues in our country, more and more companies are aiming to make their companies, whether they are in the clean energy industry or not, more eco-friendly. Click here to read the full article.

Obama to Announce New Funding for Manufacturing – from Wall Street Journal

President Obama is expected to announce new funding for manufacturing jobs in the clean energy industry today. The funding will support tens of thousands of clean energy jobs. Click here to read the full article.

Gov. Doyle: Announces plan to accelerate Wisconsin’s green economy –from WisPolitics.com

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced the Clean Energy Jobs Act for the state yesterday. The Act will create 15,000 clean energy and green jobs in Wisconsin by 2025 and accelerate the state’s green economy. Click here to read the full article.

When Will Renewable Energy Companies Overtake Traditional Energy Companies? – from Renewable Energy World

Renewable energy currently only accounts for a small percentage of the country’s energy source. So when will renewable energy be the “norm” over traditional energy? This article examines different issues to consider to answer this question. Click here to read the full article.

US Department of Labor announces $100 million in green jobs training grants through Recovery Act – from DOL.gov

$100 million has been awarded for green job training programs across the country. About $28 million of the grants will go toward communities that were hard-hit by the decline of the auto industry. Click here to read the full article.

Growing new jobs in a greener world – from OregonLive.com

According to a recent study, Oregon’s clean energy economy has potential for great job growth. From 1998-2007 employment opportunities in Oregon for clean energy jobs increased at a rate of 50.7%. Click here to read the full article.

Proposed solar-panel field in Edison among four planned by PSE&G in NJ – from MyCentralJersey.com

PSE&G has invested $50 million in New Jersey for renewable solar energy. Included in these plans is a solar farm with 8,500 solar panels in Edison, NJ. Click here to read the full article.

Best Among Equals? Choosing Tax Incentives for Wind Projects – from Renewable Energy World

Wind developers have the option to choose between two tax incentives for wind energy projects as outlined in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This article examines and analyzes the two incentives. Click here to read the full article.  

A Once-Dark Polaroid Factory Goes Green – from NPR

An old Polaroid factory in Bedford, MA has a life again. Konarka, a solar panel manufacturing company, has converted the factory into their own, hiring 20 former workers from Polaroid to help make solar panels. Click here to read the full article.

$3 million in fed funds means 120 jobs in Lee County – from News-Press

Florida’s southwest region is looking to vamp up renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. With the help of $3 million from federal funds, 120 jobs will arise in Lee County for renewable energy projects. Click here to read the full article.

Recession Struck Michigan Will Create 130,000 Jobs, $25 Billion with Climate Action Plan – from treehugger

A study from the Center for Climate Strategies suggests 129,000 jobs will be created in Michigan and $25 million will be added to the state’s gross product from Michigan’s climate action plan. Click here to read the full article.

Low Carbon Fuel Standard Under Development in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic – from SustainableBusiness.com

Eleven Northeast and Mid-Atlantic governors signed an MOU agreeing to develop a low carbon fuel standard for the two U.S. regions. Click here to read the full article.

2010: The Year for a Surge in Energy Efficiency – from GreenerBuildings

In 2009 there were numerous climate bill debated in Congress and every one of them mentioned something in common: energy efficiency. Buildings use 40% of the country’s energy consumption, making energy efficiency and important issue for buildings in the U.S. Click here to read the full article.

Western North Carolina to get funding for renewable energy initiatives – from Citizen-Times

The North Carolina Energy Program is distributing grants for energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. The more than $330,000 is from federal Recovery Act funds awarded to the state. Click here to read the full article.

Report Says Reducing Carbon Footprint is Good for Michigan’s Economy – from Michigan Radio

Michigan is hoping to slow down climate change and boost the state’s economy by implementing clean energy initiatives such as making buildings more energy efficient and using more renewable energy resources. Click here to read the full article.

Pennsylvania Invests in Projects That Will Use Waste to Generate Energy – from Waste Age

PA Governor Ed Rendell says that $5 million used to fund eight projects that will use waste to generate electricity and natural gas in PA will stimulate the economy by creating jobs and attracting investment capital. Click here to read the full article.

US govt seeks agreement on Cape Wind power project – from Reuters

Department of Interior hopes to reach an agreement by March 1 that will allow that Cape Wind power project to move forward. This project is set to create advanced technology jobs in Massachusetts. The wind farm would provide electricity for 400,000 homes, but some people are opposed to the project because of blocked views for some homes and businesses. Click here to read the full article.  

California processing 244 proposals for renewable energy facilities – RenewableEnegyFocus.com

The 244 proposed facilities for renewable energy would help California reach its goal of obtaining 1/3 of the state’s power from renewable energy sources. Click here to read the full article.

Enviro groups have modest legislative agenda – from Seattle P-I

Environmental groups lobbying for environmental protection issues in Washington are concentrating on the small things. With the current budget deficit, these groups hope to gain ground on smaller issues as to not face more cutbacks. Click here to read the full article.

2010 outlook: Job market will be on the mend – from NorthJersey.com

An outlook predicts job creation will begin to outpace job losses in 2010. The clean energy industry is thought to have the best potential for long-term job growth. Click here to read the full article.

Wind farms could create thousands of new Neb. jobs – from Nebraska.TV

A National Renewable Energy Lab report shows 40,000 jobs could be created in Nebraska over the next two decades within the wind energy industry. If a federal goal to have wind energy make up 20% of U.S. energy is met by 2030, the projected 40,000 figure is attainable. Click here to read the full article.

Don’t think of a Solar Panel – from CleanEdge

Ron Pernick, co-founder of CleanEdge, points out that in order to win the clean-tech race, the focus on the issue should center around job creation, economic competitiveness, energy independence, and national security. Click here to read the full article.

The Obama administration made sure to get the point across this week that climate legislation and job creation in the renewable energy industry is, and will continue to be, a top priority. The timing of all this exposure on the issue is no coincidence; President Obama is heading to Copenhagen, Denmark this Friday for the United Nations Climate Change Conference. With all the news of violent protests surrounding the climate conference and the failure for the participating nations to come to any sort of agreement, it’s no wonder President Obama and his administration are attempting to cast a positive light by promoting renewable energy here in the U.S.

On Tuesday, President Obama spoke at a Home Depot in Alexandria, VA to promote Cash for Caulkers, in hopes that residents will weatherize their homes, which will in turn create many jobs for manufacturers, contractors and installers across the country. Homeowners who weatherize their homes will receive cash incentives (up to $12,000) and funding will also be allocated to companies in the renewable energy/energy-efficiency industries. Read the rest of this entry »

President Obama and the White House hosted a Jobs Summit yesterday in Washington, D.C. Last month, when Obama announced this event, he said the purpose of the Jobs Summit is to get a jumpstart on hiring across the United States, but also cautioned that federal resources are limited. Businesspeople and politicians from across the country gathered in D.C. to hear Obama open and close the Jobs Summit, while breakout and Q&A sessions took place in between. For more detailed accounts and specifics of the Summit here are a few articles from the Los Angeles Times, NPR and The New York Times.

There were many skeptics and critics of the Jobs Summit before the event, and many recounts of the Summit in the news today are skeptical of how the Job Summit helped or will help create jobs. Some articles question whether the Summit was more of a photo-op for the administration and imply the event was held solely as a publicity stunt. Read the rest of this entry »

When my alarm went off Monday morning at 3:30 a.m., it was time for me to get ready to head to Union Station in Washington, D.C. to board a train up to New York City. The reason for this early morning wake up: Social Recruiting Summit. As soon as I got off the train and had my first of quite a few cups of coffee for the day, I was ready to listen, learn and share ideas about social recruiting with recruiters, HR and marketing/communications professionals.  

With an abundance (perhaps even overwhelming) array of social media tools available for people in almost any profession to utilize for work-related responsibilities, this summit was designed to gather ideas and learn from those in-the-know about using social media for recruitment purposes. Topics discussed during the daylong summit (just to name a few) covered using social networks to advertise job openings, useful websites for recruiters to find top-notch candidates, how companies should engage in social media from Facebook and Twitter to writing and reading industry and company blogs, and ways to communicate and connect with candidates via social media tools and networks. Read the rest of this entry »