Washington, DC Economic Partnership Solicits Bids for Report on Green Collar Job...

Washington, DC Economic Partnership Solicits Bids for Report on Green Collar
Job Demand in District

Analysis Will Determine Size and Scope of Workforce Needed to Meet Job Demand
Created from Passage of City's Green Building Act

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With more cities and states
taking action to address energy efficiency, renewable fuels, green buildings
and climate protection, a whole new green economic sector is emerging, along
with a growing demand for green collar jobs, particularly in DC. The
District's passage of the Green Building Act and other public policy
initiatives has created a growing green economy and demand for jobs in this
sector. To assist both the government and business community in understanding
the region's emerging green workforce, the Washington, DC Economic Partnership
(WDCEP), on behalf of the District of Columbia, has issued a request for
proposals (RFP) from firms to conduct a green collar job demand analysis.

The report will determine the number of people, type of jobs, skills and
salaries needed to meet the nascent green labor demand resulting from the
city's green building laws and other environmental initiatives. It will also
identify the gap in skills between both residents in DC and the surrounding
area who need jobs and which jobs are needed. Based upon this information, the
report will recommend training and policy strategies aimed at bolstering the
city's green collar workforce. The deadline for RFP submissions is January 25,
2008 at 12:00pm.

"By enacting one of the most aggressive green building laws in the country,
the District is not only building a more sustainable city to protect the
quality of life for future generations but also creating jobs," said Steve
Moore, President and CEO, WDCEP. "This green collar job analysis will serve as
an invaluable tool in helping businesses and government not only plan for
growth in the green sector of our economy but also understand what it means to
the District," added Moore.

The District has enacted the most ambitious Green Building legislation of any
comparable city in the US -- requiring all public buildings be built to green
standards beginning in 2008 and all new private buildings larger than 50,000
square feet must meet the same standards by 2012. Features of green or
sustainable building include, plant covered roofs to absorb rainwater and
reduce polluting stormwater runoff and solar panels that generate renewable
energy.

"The District wants to lead by example when it comes to redefining itself as a
city committed to sustainability," remarked Howard Ways, AICP, Special
Assistant, DC Office of Planning. "From construction to river restoration to
lead paint abatement, green employment opportunities are emerging across
industries, as cities like DC pursue smart, robust plans for economic growth
that benefit the environment. This report will assist the city and its
partners in helping both residents and local businesses anticipate and meet
future green collar job demand," concluded Ways.

But the private sector isn't waiting for the 2012 deadline. More than 200
buildings are in the pipeline for certification as Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) green buildings, most of them private sector
projects. Other green projects are underway, including the clean up of the
Anacostia River, upgrades to the water and sewer systems and the modernization
of the DC public schools.

DC has already begun greening its own buildings and creating job training
through the process. Using the DC Greenworks apprenticeship program, the
District recently installed green roofs on two DC government office buildings,
the Reeves Center and One Judiciary Square. The roofs will help reduce energy
costs in the summer by absorbing heat and limiting storm water runoff.
Additionally, young adults working on this project received training in green
roof installation.

WDCEP is soliciting bids for the green collar job demand report on behalf of
the Office of Planning and the Department of Employment Services. The final
report will be made available to the public to help business owners, public
officials, developers and residents leverage this bourgeoning green economy
into opportunity.

About the Washington DC Economic Partnership - www.wdcep.com
The Washington DC Economic Partnership is a public/private partnership with
the mission of facilitating economic development by contributing to the
business retention and attraction in the District of Columbia. The Partnership
is your first point of contact for doing business in Washington, DC, offering
a host of resources and information.

SOURCE Washington DC Economic Partnership

Crystal Wright, Baker Wright Group, +1-202-829-0848, for the Washington DC
Economic Partnership