White House announces plan to train 50,000 people, including veterans, to install solar panels

[eridani]

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/us-train-veterans-install-solar-panels-part-initiative-reduce-carbon-dioxide-emissions/#.VBs6teIJdxE.twitter

The U.S. is planning to train veterans to become solar panel installers in the next six years, the White House said Thursday.

The jobs training program is among a host of initiatives the White House says will cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 300 million tons through 2030, plus save billions of dollars on energy bills for homeowners and businesses. It will launch this fall at one or more military bases and train a total of at least 50,000, including veterans.

The Agriculture Department will also spend nearly $70 million to fund 540 solar and renewable energy projects, focused on rural and farming areas. And the Energy Department will propose stricter efficiency standards for commercial air conditioners, a move the department said could cut emissions more than any other efficiency standard it has issued to date.

The proposals are modest compared with what President Barack Obama has asked Congress to do through legislation to promote clean energy, invest in infrastructure projects and force reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. But with lawmakers unwilling to consider any major climate legislation, Obama has sought to maximize what presidential authority he does hold.

[madokie]

1. I wonder if old retired on SS veterans would be considered

Not that I want to take jobs from younger vets but I'm getting bored in my old age and spent 12 plus years in the industrial electrical field. New installs and updating old machines to using process controllers. I figure I have 20 years left in me anyway. Maybe not crawling around on roof tops but damn sure installing components at the ground level

[Unknown Beatle]

2. I was thinking the same thing.

I'm not a veteran and I'm sixty years old and bored.

[madokie]

3. If I find out I'll let you know

likewise if you find out let me know

[malaise]

4. That would be great

I hope so

[magical thyme]

6. young people desperately need good jobs

I'm sorry, but unless you are dirt poor and can't afford even a pen and paper or something for transportation, there is no excuse for boredom.

There is always plenty to do. If I could afford to retire today, I would. There are 2 animal shelters a short distance away that always can use volunteers, there are other charities that could use help.

If you're retired and on SS, you can go back to school for very cheap. If you have any expertise, you can share it in community education progrms.

[TBF]

5. It's a start. nt

[a kennedy]

13. D*mn right it's a start......

Some of the CCC efforts are still beautiful and put a ton of folks to work.....my uncle as one.

[TBF]

14. Nice! Glad to know someone

connected to DU is benefitting!!

[Dustlawyer]

7. Now they have to change state laws, at least in the South, so they can get a job doing it.

I am starting a solar company in Texas and Texas requires electricians to do almost all of the work, including mounting the panels on the roof. I understand the need for electricians to wire everything up, but mounting them on the roofs is more of a carpenter's job. Unless they will be certified electricians they cannot do the job here.
I believe this law is intended to slow the growth of solar so oil and coal companies can hang on as long as possible!

[freshwest]

8. My ex worked under a licensed electrician in TX after completing the union class, 40 years ago.

It's to prevent electrical fires, which can happen when an untrained person does electrical. It has nothing to do with solar or restraining your business.

All that is needed is one person with a master's license to oversee and check what the workers are doing. It's a good regulation from the progressive era in Texas and is a good thing.

People I know have hired companies to install solar on their homes, and to link them to the grid. So that if they are in the city and need to get more power than they are generating, they can take some; if they make more, they can send it back and get credits on their bill.

At that point, you are connecting to the light company's mast and it's no longer a matter of doing just any old thing, as it effects the lines in the neighborhood. Our beloved commie light company does all it can to give incentives for this. We own it and say what we want it do, and have some of the lowest, if not the lowest, rates in the nation. Our goal is fossil and nuke free energy.

A person can, if they live in an area without any housing regulations (water, sewer, electrical, gas, plumbing, etc.) go ahead and install whatever they want. They can put in their own battery system to go completely off grid. You have to really know what you are doing to do that, but not necessarily be an electrician.

Really, off grid is the best solution, but it requires more space and less dependence on the community's utilities. Some actually do live off grid in certain housing and business situations.

I know people in rural areas far from the cities in TX who run modern agricultural operations off wind power. It has nothing to do with the state trying to stop solar. TX isn't that far into the dark ages on alternative energy.

Back in the seventies, I worked utilities in some subdivisions where solar panels, passive roof hot water preheating systems came with the house some distance north of Houston. No one made a fuss about it, but it was made easier by Carter and Democrats giving credits. Oil companies still cannot stop us, we can work around them.

[Dustlawyer]

10. I understand your point, I have a Master Electrician and his company with me, it's the mounts,

brackets, and physically getting the stuff mounted on the roof that I am talking about. That labor is less expensive, then you would have the electricians doing all the wiring. By having electricians doing almost all of the work, some really outside the trade, that makes it cost more that I am concerned with. Perry wants to make solar more expensive and less attractive. I expected no less from the Republicans here. They could have smog like the worst areas of China and still say "Oil is King!"

[Uncle Joe]

9. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, eridani.

[jen63]

11. K & R n/t

[kelliekat44]

12. Now that's what I call "leading." We need to get behind this movement and hold

elected officials accountable if they don't support this. It helps vets, the economy, and working men and women running households, AND created good paying jobs. All of which will cause severe blowback from the GOP and other Obama haters.