Part 2: What Makes Our Economy Grow
KYW Regional Affairs Council
"Growing A Green Economy"
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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Measures to cut energy use and reduce carbon emissions are good for the environment, but there is growing evidence that they're also good for the economy.
And now, Delaware Valley officials are working to make the region a leader in the green economy.
"Philadelphia is fast becoming known as one of the great participants in the green economy," says mayor Michael Nutter, who has been preaching the green gospel for almost four years.
And a new study from the Brookings Institution shows it's paying off: the Philadelphia region ranked fifth in clean jobs -- ahead of Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland, Ore.
"And that's pretty amazing when you think about the fact that wind and solar haven't been as popular here as they have been on the west coast," notes Leanne Krueger-Braneky (right), who heads the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia. She attributes the rapid growth in green jobs to a sustained, concerted effort by governments, at all levels, the business community, and labor, all working together.
She says the effort put the region in a good position when the federal stimulus bill came along.
"And so, as a result of that, Philadelphia got more green job training dollars than any other city in the country," Krueger-Braneky notes.
The next challenge is to make sure those workers stay employed and, again, a cooperative effort is underway.
Katherine Grajewski, of the Mayor's Office of Sustainability (right), says a project called "Energyworks" is designed to encourage more people to weatherize.
"The five counties in this region came together to establish a revolving loan fund. It's a 25-million-dollar fund that makes low interest loans to both small businesses and homeowners so that they can, at a very low cost, make energy efficiency improvements," she says.
Grajewski points out this project will mean green jobs and a cleaner environment -- a classic win-win.
Reported by Pat Loeb, KYW Newsradio 1060
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