Clean Energy & Conservation

Investment in green, clean energy is a pressing national priority. Global warming threatens the planet's future, the cost of petroleum-based energy decreases our economic competitiveness, and our dependence on foreign oil creates multiple national security problems.

At the same time, we face the most serious economic crisis in decades, with rapidly escalating joblessness and rapidly declining consumer confidence. Americans need to go back to work.

Service can help to solve both of these problems. The president signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act into law in April 2009. As part of this landmark legislation, the Clean Energy Service Corps was created, establishing a grant program for clean energy projects for Corps across the country. (The Corporation for National and Community Service administers the grant program.)

This significant investment in Corps can reduce energy use and mitigate the effects of climate change, engage young unemployed men and women in productive environmental action that gives them substantial and relevant job and work skills, and put cash into circulation through modest Corpsmember stipends, which are spent immediately on basic needs.

Service is at the heart of American history--whether done as volunteerism, community action, service-learning, or giving a neighbor a helping hand. Creating community through working together, Americans have solved seemingly intractable problems. By engaging young people in service, we have educated and raised our youth. Service rests on the assumption that every citizen needs something from someone else-and it rests on the belief that each citizen brings a gift that makes life together better.

Service can be a particularly powerful strategy for young people: enabling them to develop skills, knowledge, and abilities; preparing them for meaningful employment; and cultivating the qualities of responsibility, teamwork, self-confidence, good judgment, and leadership that carry them into satisfying, rich adult lives.

Applying service-learning in a crew or team-based model, Corps raise the quality of workforce readiness, increase educational gains, and nurture sustained, intentional engagement with community. In return for their efforts, Corpsmembers receive guidance by adult leaders who serve as mentors and role models, a stipend and a wide range of member development services including significant educational opportunities, career preparation, and the opportunity to invest in their communities.

The Clean Energy Service Corps will support a range of models, to include the many ways in which Corps are making a difference.

Project Type: Energy and Water Audits and Retrofits
Primary Service Activities: In-home audits for low-income residents, installation of CFL light bulbs, water heater wrapping and temperature adjustment, furnace wrapping, programmable thermostats, high-efficient toilets and showerheads, identification of leaky pipes, and education of residents on benefits of using less energy.

Costs: Technical expertise, management of house visits, and (under expansion described below) maintaining partnerships among major public organizations.

Project Type: Weatherization within Community Action Agencies (CAA)
Primary Service Activities: Corpsmembers under the guidance of CAA weatherization staff master the processes and craft of weatherization.
Costs: Staff; supplies (insulation, energy-efficient lighting); supportive services (transportation, child care); work equipment and tools.

Project Type: Green Building
Primary Service Activities: Low-income home construction at Energy Star standards.
Costs: Materials, tools and equipment, technical expertise (carpenters, electricians, plumbers, contractors as Crewleaders and Field Supervisors).

Project Type: Statewide Low-Cost Residential Energy Conservation
Primary Service Activities: Corpsmembers reduce energy costs in low-income households by installing inexpensive improvements: window kits, hot water heater blankets, weather strips, energy-efficient light bulbs. For example, Warm Homes Montana, a statewide program initiated by Governor Brian Schweitzer, enabled Montana Conservation Corps crews to help weatherize 600 low-income homes in 2005. The Governor increased funding the following year, serving over 1400 households.
Costs: Technical support through project sponsors, engaging contractors as Crewleaders, materials ($300 per home).

Project Type: Environmental Restoration, Carbon Sequestration, and Water Conservation
Primary Service Activities: Tree planting, managing grasslands, landscaping on public lands (parks, public buildings, schools) installing irrigation and drip systems to conserve water, rain gardens.
Costs: Hiring trained environmentalists as Crewleaders (experience in public land management), materials, tools.