Green Economy

Buffalo ReUse is a not-for-profit organization, established in 2006 in response to the city of Buffalo's plans to develop deconstruction as a competitive alternative to the demolition of abandoned housing stock. There are an estimated 23,000 vacant structures in Buffalo, a city that once housed a half million people, but whose population is now only 290,000. To date Buffalo ReUse has deconstructed two entire structures, salvaged more than 25 additional abandoned structures, and initiated part-time sales of used materials. Read more about Buffalo ReUse...

D.C. Greenworks runs a group of nonprofit social enterprises that train and employ local "at-risk" youth. D.C. TreeKeepers assists local neighborhoods that are interested in initiating a community greening project. D.C. RainKeepers provides rain barrels and training to households interested in disconnecting one or more rain downspouts from the storm sewer system. D.C. Greenwork's Green Collar Job Training Program reaches out to the city's low-income, ethnically diverse population to foster new job opportunities and training in the urban forestry, nursery, and landscaping industries. Read more about DC Greenworks...

The Ella Baker Center, in addition to helping spawn the national support group, Green for All, has also been a green collar jobs pioneer at the local level. With $250,000 in seed funding secured from the Oakland City Council in June 2007, the Oakland Green Jobs Corps is expected to launch in early 2008 and will involve at least 20 local and regional green employers in the Green Business Council. Each participating firm will agree to provide internship positions for Oakland Green Jobs Corps trainees recruited from low-income Oakland city neighborhoods. Read more about Ella Baker Center...

Stressing the instability of foreign fossil fuel sources, Local Energy is working to ensure that the renewable energy movement focuses on local projects. Through research, education and projects, such as assisting rural communities to harness solar energy or utilizing waste from forest thinning to heat 35 low-income homes, Local Energy works to stress the best practices for local self-reliance in renewable energy. Read more about Local Energy...

Formed in 2002, PV Squared is a worker-owned business providing turnkey renewable energy system installations at homes, businesses, municipalities, and institutions. PV Squared custom designs and installs solar electric and hot water systems, small wind turbine technologies, and micro-hydroelectric facilities. Read more about Pioneer Valley Photovoltaics Cooperative...

San Francisco Community Power is a nonprofit group founded in 2001 with a $1.5 million grant from the San Francisco Department of the Environment. Originally focused on two low-income neighborhoods — Bayview-Hunters Point and Potrero Hill—the group provides energy management services to low-income families and small businesses, and trains under- and unemployed individuals to implement energy conservation measures. Read more about San Francisco Community Power...

The Richmond Solar Affordable Housing Project installs residential solar electric systems for low-income Richmond homeowners, including families, seniors and persons with disabilities. All installation services will be provided free of charge to the homeowners through installation teams of Youth Works construction trainees and other community members. The project encourages the use of solar energy throughout the city, helps low-income homeowners reduce their utility bills, and provides Richmond residents with professional skills on solar technology. Read more about Solar Richmond...

Founded in 2001 by South Bronx resident Majora Carter, Sustainable South Bronx promotes innovative, economically sustainable projects that are informed by community needs. This work includes “green roof” installation and maintenance, as well as its Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training program, a ten-week green collar job training and placement program with an 85-percent job placement success rate that has graduated more than 400 New Yorkers since 2003. Read more about Sustainable South Bronx...

The ReUse People is a nonprofit business dedicated to keeping usable building materials out of landfills and distributing them for reuse. Since 1993, the ReUse People and its affiliated contractors have deconstructed residential, commercial and industrial buildings ranging from single-family residences to military housing complexes and large-scale movie sets. To date, the business has diverted over 210,000 tons of materials from landfills throughout California. Read more about The ReUse People...