Clean Energy Corp Update

The past several weeks have seen tremendous activity in developing Kentucky’s Clean Energy Corps and preparing ourselves for the onslaught of federal stimulus funds expected imminently. 

Here are some highlights of the exciting work that we have done, as well as some critical tasks ahead of us:

• On September 11, as part of President Obama’s National Day of Service and Remembrance, Kentucky’s Clean Energy Corps joined the national “Green the Block” day, where nearly 100 communities across the country engaged in energy efficiency rehabs of low-income housing units, and made available green collar job training opportunities for residents of those facilities.  Bowling Green’s event received the top national billing because of the participation of Nappy Roots, a Bowling Green-based, nationally-celebrated hip-hop band.  Here is a summary of the event: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=130488578284. Perhaps more importantly, the event brought together all of Clean Energy Corps’ partners in Bowling Green – federal, state and local government, non-profit organizations and for-profit firms – a coalition that will be prepared to hit the ground running once the federal stimulus dollars are fully distributed.

• On September 16, Robert Kennedy Jr. keynoted an event in Louisville which brought together for the first time all of the varied Clean Energy Corps partners in Jefferson County. Here is a summary of the event: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=133097598284.  Again, while the event was a big media success, more importantly, it launched the broad-based public/private partnership that will ensure Clean Energy Corps’ success in Metro Louisville.  The Louisville Clean Energy Corps partners will be getting together for an intensive 4 hour morning meeting on October 13 to plan details for activities in the area.  If you are from Louisville and are interested in participating, please contact Corey Kline at corey.kline@ky.gov.

• As details of the federal government’s implementation of the ARRA stimulus package become more and more clear, we have determined that the Bowling Green and Louisville models are our best course of action forward – there can be no statewide, cookie-cutter approach since funds are being distributed in so many different directions from several different federal agencies.  Accordingly, we will be holding community partner meetings (like we are doing in Louisville on October 13) in every region of the state before the end of the year.  Once we schedule these meetings, we will post them on our Web site-- www.finance.KY.gov/cec.htm - - but if you are interested now in helping plan them, please contact Corey Kline at corey.kline@ky.gov.

• Our Green Ambassador program – which involves training community volunteers to spread the energy efficiency gospel through presentations to their schools, churches and other public forums across the state – will begin in full force in late October.  We will be hosting introductory sessions at universities, although you don’t have to be in college to be a Green Ambassador.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Antonia Lindauer at antonia.lindauer@ky.gov.

• Starting next week, the first 46 new energy auditors will be trained at Area Technology Centers across the state.  These are the first several dozen jobs created by Kentucky’s Clean Energy Corps, and will most certainly not be the last.  Governor Beshear will be celebrating this development at the Patton Area Technology Center in Kenton County at 12:30 PM on October 21.  Come join us if you are in the area.

• As I travel the state promoting Kentucky’s Clean Energy Corps, we continually update our Power Point presentation.  I have attached the latest version for your interest, use and/or distribution.
   

Are you not following us on Twitter and/or Facebook yet?  Jump in, the water is warm:

•        http://Twitter.com/CleanEnergyKY (Clean Energy Corps)

•        http://Twitter.com/GovSteveBeshear (Governor Beshear)

•        http://Twitter.com/MillerKY (Jonathan Miller)

•        www.facebook.com/MillerKY (Jonathan Miller’s Friend Page)

•        www.facebook.com/JonathanMillerKY (Jonathan Miller’s Public Page)

Thanks for your support, and I look forward to working with you!

Jonathan Miller