Workshop Session I: Thursday, May 10, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Workforce and Economic Development

Building a local green economy while addressing issues of poverty, workforce development, and environmental justice is a challenge throughout the Midwest region.  This session will focus on three successful approaches underway in Detroit and Chicago. Representatives from a Detroit-based organization, Southwest Housing Solutions, a Chicago-based organization, OAI Southland and a national organization, Green For All, will discuss the commonalities and differences of local models including their approach to training a green workforce, developing sustainable employment opportunities, and building an equitable and inclusive social, political, and educational infrastructure.

Workshop Session I: Thursday, May 10, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Workforce and Economic Development

This session will be a discussion about effective partnership strategies that include building partner relationships at the local, regional and state levels in Ohio and Kentucky. 

The Ohio Green Pathways Project connects government, employers, and educators with the goal of growing Ohio’s emerging green economy. Through the creation of a dynamic and intuitive website that showcases all green programs in the University System of Ohio and highlights current best practices in green education and training, potential students can find their own pathway to a new, green career.

Kentucky’s State Energy Sector Partnership Project includes completing a needs assessment  to include the nuts and bolts of agencies, non-profits, industries and communities working together to begin to implement the long term energy solutions, new skills and competencies that will be necessary to ensure a green workforce is available.

Workshop Session I: Thursday, May 10, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Business, Investment and New Markets

Our democracy is at stake. Global trade agreements, which are international treaties, limit democracy by giving corporations rights not available under national laws. Corporations want to extend an investor-state dispute resolution to future trade agreements in order to avoid environmental and labor regulations that affect their bottom line.

The Sierra Club's Trade, Human Rights and Environment Team will present an interactive slide presentation to help people better understand free trade agreements and what is at stake.  Joining them will be labor representatives and other experts for a discussion on how we put people and the environment ahead of profits.

Workshop Session I: Thursday, May 10, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Business, Investment, and New Markets

Deconstruction, the process of dismantling a structure piece by piece and salvaging or recycling its fixtures and building materials, is gaining attention as an emerging green industry sector. In addition to its environmental benefits, deconstruction can create jobs, offer hands-on training opportunities, and serve as an important “on-ramp” to a green career. This workshop will highlight deconstruction initiatives in various stages of implementation in Detroit, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee, with a focus on best practices, challenges, and partnerships. Panelists will also discuss curriculum and credentialing prospects for the field.

Moderator:
Katrin Sirje Kärk, Program Officer, LISC

Presenters:
Pam Fendt, Green Jobs Marketing Representative, LIUNA Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee
Chris Rutherford, Training Program Manager, WARM Training Center
Gina Radice, Principal, Minds Eye Company
Anne Nicklin, Executive Director, Building Materials Reuse Association

Workshop Session I: Thursday, May 10, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Infrastructure and Cleaner, More Efficient Transportation

High-speed rail and expanded intercity rail is a future growth industry. In the Midwest, $2.5 billion is now being spent to bring fast high-speed rail service to the Midwest. Public investment in high-speed rail can help revitalize America's vehicle manufacturing capacity and replace millions of intercity trips on less efficient cars and airplanes. This panel will discuss the potential of high-speed rail and opportunities to expand coalitions and mobilize support for the national transportation bill and in the states.

Presenters:
Kevin Brubaker, Deputy Director, Environmental Law & Policy Center
Derrick James, Government Affairs Director, Amtrak
Gerry Gibson, Michigan State Legislative Director, United Transportation Union (Invited)
Joshua Coran, Director of Operations, Talgo Inc.

Workshop Session II: Thursday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Infrastructure and Cleaner, More Efficient Transportation

Government plays an important role in making the U.S. a global powerhouse in automobile and truck manufacturing and jobs. Panelists will describe the success of key policies including strong vehicle fuel efficiency and carbon pollution standards and manufacturing investments. Strong standards drive new innovations in fuel-saving technologies while loan guarantees and research grants help ensure the innovations and new technology manufacturing happen in the U.S. Join the conversation about these foundational policies and learn about the thousands of U.S. workers building components today that make cars and trucks cleaner and more fuel efficient.

Workshop Session II: Thursday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Regional, State and Local Initiatives and Partnerships

This workshop will examine four major factors that have subverted our democratic rights and identify what we can do about each of them: corporate campaign financing and lobbying, voter suppression, immigration, and Senate rules. These policies have created a firewall against the passage of such progressive legislation as the Employee Free Choice Act, Fair Pay Act, Dream Act, and comprehensive climate legislation. Conversely, pro-corporate policies such as Free Trade Agreements often sail through the process. We will never be able to establish an economically and environmentally sustainable society until we restore our basic democratic rights and hold corporations, government and politicians accountable.

Workshop Session II: Thursday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Regional, State and Local Initiatives and Partnerships

One of the most difficult aspects of coalition building is finding out how other organizations think and operate. Panelists will provide overviews on national and state structures, decision making process for organizations, and contact information of environmental and labor groups that have been and would likely be involved in Apollo BlueGreen coalitions. 

The Panel will also show partner work and initiatives to provide examples on how to collaborate with partner organizations. This is a good opportunity for those in the environmental community to learn more about how labor works and its decision making processes and for labor leaders to learn more about the environmental community.

Workshop Session II: Thursday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Workforce and Economic Development

The environmental justice movement is nearly thirty years old. In retrospect, this movement can credited for strengthening  environmentalism in the United States by encouraging participation that is more representative as well as reflective of people from all walks of life. Equally important, the environmental justice movement was a “game changer” that opened doors for successive initiatives such as smart growth, equitable development, and jobs. This session celebrates the innovative solutions and programs that have grown from the environmental justice movement. Panelists will highlight how environmental justice — as a forward thinking movement — has addressed worker safety, as well as encouraged job growth, entrepreneurship, and sustainable wealth creation. Come learn how environmental justice is successfully encouraging pathways out of poverty.

Moderator:
Kent Benjamin, Acting Deputy Director, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Presenters:
Melinda Downing, Environmental Justice Program Manager, U.S. Department of Energy
Donele Wilkins, President and CEO, The Green Door Initiative
Anthony Giancatarino, Researcher, The Center for Social Inclusion

Workshop Session II: Thursday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Workforce and Economic Development

In 2010, the City of St. Paul, MN and Ramsey County created a Food & Nutrition Commission. The commission consisted of community gardeners, a representative from labor, food industry experts, and local food movement people, including urban farmers, community organizers, and local chefs. The challenge put forth to the group was to review, examine, and create policies to address food equity, food access, food literacy, and job creation couple with economic opportunities in food processing. 

This workshop will focus on how good food is good jobs and good health, and will tackle the questions the commission has faced. What is needed to fill the need for grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods? What tools are already available from city, county, and state government bodies?  And how can we grow not only retail, processing, and distribution in challenging economic times, and keep with the mission of green jobs/good jobs? The work in several states will be examined, along with proposals from the Food & Nutrition Commission. In addition, several private/public partnerships along with potential job ladders or emerging food processing initiatives will be presented.

Workshop Session II: Thursday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Clean Energy Manufacturing

Nationally, 26 percent of green jobs are in manufacturing. Increasing global demand for the equipment needed to generate clean energy provides an opportunity to grow more middle-class, clean energy manufacturing jobs. Many of these jobs are in traditional industries that rely on skills in abundance in Michigan. How can the state capitalize on this opportunity in light of stiff international competition? In 2011, the BlueGreen Alliance’s Apollo Project carried out research and convened a task force of labor, manufacturing, and environmental leaders to help answer this question.  This panel will discuss the resulting policy recommendations and implementation strategies.

Workshop Session II: Thursday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Emerging Green Sectors

Green chemistry holds promise for creating new economic opportunities, while protecting public health and the environment. This panel will describe what green chemistry is, its environmental and public health benefits, examples of various business applications and its potential to create green jobs in the Midwest Region. This session will include perspectives from: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region V, the Great Lakes Green Chemistry Network, the Minnesota Green Chemistry Forum and a Michigan business using green chemistry through supply chain management.

Workshop Session II: Thursday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Business, Investment and New Markets

The Midwest is known for energy-intensive industries — steel, paper, primary metals, and glass — where volatility in fuel prices and electricity markets can significantly impact global competitiveness and job retention. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and Waste Energy Recovery (WER) technologies can help stabilize energy costs for manufacturers, increase efficiencies, provide a reliable source of power and in some cases even lower emissions. This workshop will explore the benefits and barriers to developing CHP and WER projects in the Midwest by drawing on the experience and perspectives of project developers, industrial customers, technical experts and labor representatives.

Presenters:
John Cuttica, Director, Energy Resources Center, U.S. Department of Energy Midwest Clean Energy Application Center
Nolan Moser, Director of Air and Clean Energy Programs, Ohio Environmental Council
Representative, Recycled Energy Development (Invited)
Representative, General Electric (Invited)
Representative, EchoGen Power Systems (Invited)
Dave McCall, Director, United Steelworkers, District 1 (Invited)

Workshop Session II: Thursday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

This session will feature panelists from the region highlighting the growth of green jobs in the wind energy sector. The panel will highlight the overall market growth and potential in the Midwest, including data on the industry's growth and an update on policy from Washington, D.C. The workshop — presented by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) — will feature panelists from the Midwest representing wind project development and construction, wind turbine manufacturing and supply chain component supply, and economic development.

Workshop Session II: Thursday, May 10, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Youth, Education and Green Schools – Building a Clean Energy Movement

Greening our schools has multiple benefits for schools communities. They create better learning environments for students, have lower operating costs, and create jobs — all while better preparing our students to succeed in the green economies of the future. This panel will discuss many aspects of creating a green school, including: elimination of toxic materials to improve indoor air quality; the role energy efficiency and renewable energy in cost and pollution reduction; systems for tracking and managing success; and developments in curriculum for students that prepare them to engage a sustainable future. 

Presenters:
Michael Williams, Senior Policy and Legislative Advocate, BlueGreen Alliance
Emile Lauzzana, AIA, LEED AP, Executive Director, Energy Works Michigan
Peggy Matta, USGBC Detroit Regional Chapter
Susane Santone, Founder and Executive Director, Creative Change

Workshop Session I: Friday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Infrastructure and Cleaner, More Efficient Transportation

S-in motion, the culmination of a two-year design study undertaken by ArcelorMittal’s Global Research and Development group, is a new concept for car makers to create lighter, safer, and more environmentally friendly vehicles for the 21^st century. When combined with overall improvements in power train fuel efficiency, that leads to stronger, lighter, more environmentally friendly vehicles, without compromising overall safety. Learn more about the important role the steel industry is playing in developing and producing advanced product offerings that minimize an automobile’s carbon footprint and help to ensure a viable manufacturing base the supports jobs in the U.S.

Workshop Session I: Friday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Regional, State and Local Initiatives and Partnerships 

This workshop will provide case studies of blue-green alliances in our region that are helping to create a movement for progressive change. Examples from across the country include the CWA-Sierra Club project in Texas, Jobs21, Prop 23 in California, the Ohio referendum to repeal Senate Bill 5, and the Wisconsin recall campaigns. The presentation of each case study will include a brief description of goals, strategy and implementation; the nuts and bolts of building the coalition, and lessons learned, including what was done well and what could be done better in the future.

Workshop Session I: Friday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Regional, State and Local Initiatives and Partnerships

This panel will look at how metro Detroit is working to create a new infrastructure to support two growing sustainable economy industries — building energy efficiency and advanced energy storage. The session will address how to create a highly integrated set of industry, market and workforce solutions at the regional level to grow and sustain these two different industries. It will emphasize how growing the industry and growing a skilled workforce in tandem are essential to industry growth in these emerging sectors. Panelists will provide perspectives on the value and role of different stakeholders in these partnerships, and address how collaboration between businesses, governments and nonprofits in a specific region is essential to accelerating the growth of an emerging clean energy industry. 

Moderator:
Michael DiRamio, Program Director for Job Creation and Sustainability, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce

Presenters:
Sean Newell: Dean, College of Engineering - Ford Learning & Development, Ford Motor Company; Chair, Michigan Academy for Green Mobility Alliance (Invited)
Jim Saber:  Vice President, Business Development and Government Relations, NextEnergy (Invited)
Jacob Corvidae, Co-Director of Southeast Michigan Regional Energy Office, Senior Energy (Invited)
Steve Toeppner, General Manager of Wellhome (Invited)

Workshop Session I: Friday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Workforce and Economic Development

This panel will showcase community colleges in Michigan that are part of the Greenforce Initiative, a partnership between National Wildlife Federation and Jobs for the Future. This panel discussion will highlight successful strategies community colleges are using to train students for the green economy. With green workforce training a cornerstone of the presentation, successful public-private partnerships, green training programs, collaboration and access for lower-skilled students to enter into green career pathway programs will be discussed. The panel will showcase how colleges are leading the way in innovation and creating living laboratories for hands-on learning on their campuses and in their communities.

Workshop Session I: Friday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Workforce and Economic Development

This session will provide a thorough presentation of our local Midwest region’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry as it relates to the tremendous changes we have put into practice in response to emerging energy efficient markets. SMACNA Metropolitan Detroit and Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association (SMWIA) Local Union #80, along with our industry partners, continue to work very hard to ensure job opportunities for our contractors and labor force in the developing green future of Michigan’s construction industry. Together our coalition has welcomed the adaptations required in response to our region’s construction market recession, and together we continually concentrate on the creation of green jobs through education and involvement within energy efficient incentives, programs and policies. We will highlight the efforts made towards change that each level has contributed within an industry that has been entrenched in a strained economy but pushing toward a new beginning with green jobs. From top to bottom, the architect to the apprentice, our industry continues to build strategies that will guide themselves into future energy efficient markets through education and partnerships.

Moderator:
Eli Howard, Executive Director of Technical Service, SMACNA National

Panelists:
Douglas Kueffner, President, Wigen, Tincknell, Meyer & Associates; American Institute of Architects, Michigan (Invited)
Don Greenwell, Jr., Senior Vice President; Walbridge Aldinger (Invited)
Randy Pagel, President,  Bumler Mechanical,;President; SMACNA Metropolitan Detroit Chapter; Member, Board of Directors, Mechanical Contractors Association, Detroit
Mark Saba, Business Manager, Joint Apprenticeship and Labor Management Committee; Member, SMWIA Local Union #80, Detroit

Workshop Session I: Friday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Workforce and Economic Development

In the coming decade, federal government and states will spend tens of billions on energy efficiency. Most of it will be collected from rich and poor end-users of power equally — although for decades, energy incentives have mostly benefitted larger businesses and wealthy individuals, because energy agencies measured success primarily in "energy saved." But as we prepare to spend billions during a deep recession, energy savings are not enough. Energy policy must be measured by its reach into communities where energy savings and jobs have the most impact, and where efficiency and jobs are otherwise out of reach.

Workshop Session I: Friday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Youth, Education and Green Schools – Building a Clean Energy Movement

Through its work as both a joint labor/management educational program for eligible members of the United Steelworkers and a Department of Labor grantee, the Insitute for Career Development (ICD) will share its unique perspective on how it has contributed to building a clean energy movement one Steelworker and one citizen at a time. ICD staff members will share examples of coursework offered through local Career Development programs that has affected how Steelworkers think about and use energy. Many of ICD's local programs have had success in offering introductory level type classes on solar energy and home efficiency. The workshop will also focus on the high-level heating and air program that has established itself as an industry leader.

Workshop Session II: Friday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Infrastructure and Cleaner, More Efficient Transportation

The Clean Transportation Manufacturing Action Plan (TMAP) is a national strategy to leverage our federal investments to build a modern, efficient transportation system to create quality, high-paying manufacturing jobs. Developed by a task force of leading manufacturers; labor unions; and transportation, energy and economic development policy experts TMAP examines how best to support the domestic manufacture of advanced transit and rail vehicles, efficient buses, clean trucks and their component parts. It is a comprehensive strategy focused both on expanding domestic demand for these products and providing the investments and regulatory supports needed to ensure that American manufacturers are positioned to meet increased demand.

Workshop Session II: Friday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Regional, State and Local Initiatives and Partnerships

Workshop Session I: Friday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Concentration: Regional, State and Local Initiatives and Partnerships

Workshop Session II: Friday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Regional, State and Local Initiatives and Partnerships

Workshop Session II: Friday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.Concentration: Regional, State and Local Initiatives and Partnerships

Workshop Session II: Friday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.Concentration: Workforce and Economic Development

Workshop Session II: Friday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Workforce and Economic Development

Workshop Session II: Friday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Workforce and Economic Development

Workshop Session II: Friday, May 11, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Concentration: Youth, Education and Green Schools – Building a Clean Energy Movement

Workshop Session III: Friday, May 11, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Concentration: Infrastructure and Cleaner, More Efficient Transportation

Workshop Session III: Friday, May 11, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Concentration: Regional, State and Local Initiatives and Partnerships

Workshop Session III: Friday, May 11, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Concentration: Regional, State and Local Initiatives and Partnerships

Workshop Session III: Friday, May 11, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Workforce and Economic Development

Workshop Session III: Friday, May 11, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Concentration: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency