15 Oct Benefits of the “Quit Coal by 2014” scenario — 1. Local Jobs

Replacing Austin’s coal plant means installing everything from solar panels to caulk seal. Jobs will need to be filled as millions of dollars stream into Austin’s local economy — instead of out of it, to Austin’s clunker coal plant (rated #7th worst polluter in the state by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, 2007).

Background
Austin Energy hired a nationally recognized consulting firm to explore numerous scenarios, re: Austin’s electricity 2010 to 2020. That firm, the Pace consultancy, returned two new scenarios last week, including a “Quit Coal by 2014” report.

The new scenarios were run because several members of Austin’s Generation Task Force contend — shutting down Austin’s coal plant ASAP is more cost effective than keeping it burning. Austin’s coal plant is laden with financial risk and volatility, not to mention huge health and environmental impacts, which particularly affect the poor.

New Scenario
We can’t afford not to go clean, it would seem. The Pace group reported that shuttering Austin’s coal plant by 2014 and replacing it with local rooftop solar, energy efficiency, and West Texas wind will cost bill payers about 5% more than the current plan. ($6 per month, for most residents by 2020.)*

Is clean electricity worth a 5% bill increase?

One benefit that 5% increase represents — an enormous investment in local jobs and clean economic development. Replacing Austin’s coal plant means jobs. Local jobs. Who’s going to install all those solar panels and weatherize all those buildings? Opportunities will be created for LOTS of Austinites, from at risk youth to highly paid entrepreneurs.

For more on this, pls check out my full AEN post http://tinyurl.com/yzyopzh and our Fb group: http://tinyurl.com/yjpruvb.

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Video about Clean Jobs in the South Bronx:

Video by Van Jones about Weatherization:

Video about a residential solar install:

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Notes
*2007 dollars, as shown in the Pace report.

Thanks for reading, Chris