ONGOING PROJECTS
1. Union outreach: We establish contact with union leadership and rank and file to encourage them to recognize climate change as an unfolding disaster that will affect workers and to see the connection between union jobs and a non-fossil fuel economy. One current focus is to encourage unions to address heat and wildfire smoke in their contracts. Contact Mark (markdariatpacifier.com) for more information
2. OSHA regulations on heat and smoke protections: Climate Jobs PDX is part of a coalition, including Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN), Oregon Environmental Council, Northwest Workers’ Justice Project, AFLCIO and other unions in advocating for strong OSHA protections for excessive heat and wildfire smoke. Farmworkers and nursery workers are most vulnerable to excessive heat and wildfire smoke, but warehouse workers, bus drivers, city recreation workers municipal workers and many others are also seriously affected. We work with others to advocate for strong protections in OSHA rule making meetings as well as build involvement of unions and workers in this process, as they can speak best for themselves. Contact Laurie (landd_2atq.com) for more information
3. Community Solar/Portland Clean Energy Fund collaboration: As we promote a full and rapid transition to a non-greenhouse gas emitting and equitable economy, we are working to help create one or more demonstration projects that model what this transition might look like on the small scale. The statewide Community Solar Program dramatically expands access to renewable solar power for lower-income and renting residents (on the grid, with required benefits for lower-income electricity customers). The Portland Clean Energy Fund offers resources for climate-friendly projects that invest in disproportionately-climate-affected communities to strengthen and rebuild those communities. Our goal is to form community-solar project partnerships with groups that wish to help build the new clean economy from the ground up, with an emphasis on equity and decent-paying, preferably union jobs, and with workforce training of community members as a strong element. Any successful demonstration projects will then serve as models for many more thereafter. Contact Rich (richpeppersatgmail.com) for more information:
2. OSHA regulations on heat and smoke protections: Climate Jobs PDX is part of a coalition, including Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN), Oregon Environmental Council, Northwest Workers’ Justice Project, AFLCIO and other unions in advocating for strong OSHA protections for excessive heat and wildfire smoke. Farmworkers and nursery workers are most vulnerable to excessive heat and wildfire smoke, but warehouse workers, bus drivers, city recreation workers municipal workers and many others are also seriously affected. We work with others to advocate for strong protections in OSHA rule making meetings as well as build involvement of unions and workers in this process, as they can speak best for themselves. Contact Laurie (landd_2atq.com) for more information
3. Community Solar/Portland Clean Energy Fund collaboration: As we promote a full and rapid transition to a non-greenhouse gas emitting and equitable economy, we are working to help create one or more demonstration projects that model what this transition might look like on the small scale. The statewide Community Solar Program dramatically expands access to renewable solar power for lower-income and renting residents (on the grid, with required benefits for lower-income electricity customers). The Portland Clean Energy Fund offers resources for climate-friendly projects that invest in disproportionately-climate-affected communities to strengthen and rebuild those communities. Our goal is to form community-solar project partnerships with groups that wish to help build the new clean economy from the ground up, with an emphasis on equity and decent-paying, preferably union jobs, and with workforce training of community members as a strong element. Any successful demonstration projects will then serve as models for many more thereafter. Contact Rich (richpeppersatgmail.com) for more information: