Thursday, January 6, 2011

Enviro-literacy class

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300 presents...

ROOTS OF SUCCESS ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY COURSE


Jan. 24, 26, 31 & Feb. 2, 7, 9 from 4-6 p.m. each day
COST: Free for IBEW members
WHERE: 3 Gregory Drive, South Burlington, VT
INSTRUCTOR: Licensed Master Electrician Shelley Warren


ABOUT: Roots of Success includes an Introduction to Eco-literacy and six modules—Water, Waste, Transportation, Energy, Building, Food and Agriculture. Its goals are to help youth and adults with limited proficiencies obtain the knowledge and skills they need to understand and think critically about environmental problems and solutions from multi-disciplinary perspectives and to do so in a way that enhances their confidence, sense of competence, and excitement about learning. The curriculum enhances job readiness skills.

WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY?
Being environmentally literate requires basic understanding of natural systems, biological systems, and social systems. Roots of Success presents its materials using a multi-disciplinary approach focused on environmental science, land use planning, public health and social justice.

HISTORY: Dr. Raquel Pinderhughes, professor of Urban Studies and Planning at San Francisco State University, developed the Roots of Success curriculum. Prof. Pinderhughes is a national expert on green collar jobs and green work force development. The green job training model she created was used to develop the Oakland Green Job Corps, San Mateo County’s Green Job Academies, the East Bay Green Corps, multiple programs in the state of New Jersey, as well other green collar job training programs across the United States.


For more information about the curriculum: http://www.rootsofsuccess.org

To register: Jean Watkins at 802.864.5864, ext. 14, or jmw@ibewlocal300.org

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Please sign this petition

Local jobs for local workers. Apprenticeships for veterans, minorities and at-risk people. Stimulating the local economy. Responsible use of tax dollars. PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION telling the City of Burlington a Project Labor Agreement on the Moran Plant redevelopment will accomplish all of the above! (If the below widget doesn't work, please CLICK HERE.)

Monday, September 20, 2010

Essex Middle School's Edge Academy to Hold Solar Celebration

Author, Activist Bill McKibben will Present Keynote Address

WHO: The Edge Academy in collaboration with Bill McKibben, Peck Electric, Green Mountain Power, Essex Energy Committee, Department of Energy, Efficiency Vermont, and IBM.

WHAT: Solar Celebration and unveiling of new 18-kilowatt solar electric array.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 21, 2010, beginning at 9:10 a.m. See full schedule below.

WHERE: Essex Middle School, 60 Founders Road, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

WHY: The school and Peck Electric recently completed installation of a rooftop solar array and will hold a day of educational festivities for the students, who were involved with the project from the beginning.


SCHEDULE:


9:10 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.: Workshops for students sponsored by Peck Electric, VEEP and Efficiency Vermont.

1-2 p.m.: Keynote Address by Bill McKibben (EMS Gymnasium).

2-2:25 p.m.: Solar ribbon cutting ceremony.

MORE INFO: Lindsey Halman, lhalman@etsd.org, (802) 879-7173.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Statement on Hydro-Quebec Power Deal

The Vermont Energy Partnership, of which IBEW Local 300 is a member, just issued a statement about the power deal recently struck between Vermont's largest electric utilities and Hydro-Quebec. Here it is:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  
CONTACT: Guy Page, 802-223-0575 (office) or 802-730-2961 (cell), page@vtep.org / Brad Ferland, 802-999-2633, bferland@together.net
 
VTEP Statement on Proposed Hydro-Québec Contract
 
Montpelier, VT/August 12, 2010 – Following today’s announcement of a power purchase agreement between Hydro-Québec and Vermont utilities, Brad Ferland, President of the Vermont Energy Partnership, issued the following statement. 
 
“This is a very important step for Vermont’s long-term energy policy. Hydro-Québec provides large amounts of renewable electricity, playing an important role in making sure Vermont has a clean, abundant, and reliable electricity supply.
 
“This long-term power purchase agreement continues a valuable business relationshipwith Hydro-Québec. The utilities have done a great job with their dedication and hard work putting this deal together. 
 
“Vermont’s low-carbon, low-cost electric power has existed thanks to the ongoing, long-term contracts that state utilities have maintained with Hydro-Québec and Vermont Yankee. 
 
“The natural next step in our energy planning is for a new contract with Vermont Yankee to be finalized, so the largest in-state, base load power source can continue to benefit Vermonters by providing reliable and clean electricity. Furthermore, Vermont Yankee employs hundreds of Vermonters and serves as a key economic engine for the state.”
 
The Vermont Energy Partnership is a diverse group of more than 90 business, labor, and community leaders committed to finding clean, affordable and reliable electricity solutions to ensure Vermont stays a great place to live and work. Entergy, owner of Vermont Yankee, is a member of the Vermont Energy Partnership. Our mission is to educate policy makers, the media, businesses, and the general public about optimal solutions to preserve and expand our electricity network.  
 
Twitter: @VTEPVermont

The Electrical Worker - Aug. '10

Click here for the August 2010 edition of The Electrical Worker.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Essex Middle School Goes Solar - News Story - WPTZ Plattsburgh

Essex Middle School Goes Solar - News Story - WPTZ Plattsburgh

IBEW Local 300 electrician and nationally certified solar installer Matt Murphy was featured on tonight's WPTZ-TV evening news. We're so proud of our union members - the true boots on the ground - who are ushering in renewable energy! Click the above link to watch.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Essex Middle School Solar Project


Peck Electric (http://www.pecksolar.com/) installed an 18-kilowatt solar photovoltaic array at Essex Middle School. The project was made possible by federal funding secured by Sen. Bernie Sanders to implement renewable energy in Vermont's schools.

Click here to view more photos of the installation.