The Apollo Alliance is dedicated to advancing a broad strategic agenda for good jobs and energy independence. What inspires our mission is the conviction that working Americans do not have to choose between the economic well-being of their families, the environmental health of their communities, and the security of their country. On this page, we provide resources – including reports, data, and examples of best practices – to help the progressive community unite uncommon allies behind an agenda for energy independence, good jobs, and national security.

The Ten-Point Plan for Good Jobs and Energy Independence

Apollo’s ten-point plan for energy independence, will bring our country together to rethink and reshape our energy future, to create a stronger economy, a safer world and cleaner environment. The plan calls for diversifying our energy sources, making America less dependent on imported oil and making energy less polluting. It will invest in new technology and expand markets for American durable goods. And, it will increase construction of high performance energy efficient buildings and drive new spending on transportation and public infrastructure.

State Leadership for a New Energy Future

This plan outlines a comprehensive, four-part strategy for state leadership to promote clean energy and create good jobs. In the absence of strong federal action over the last six years, states have acted as laboratories of democracy, pioneering bold, new solutions to our energy challenges. They have tapped the “can do” spirit of the American people, demonstrating that we can tackle some of the great issues of our time—creating good jobs, energy independence, and curbing global warming pollution—with the right combination of leadership and know-how.

The four initiatives outlined in our State Leadership plan offer states broad roadmaps on how to address the full gamut of our nation’s energy challenges. Many of the ideas here reflect some of the best ideas already tested by state governments. These initiatives can be adopted in whole or piece-by-piece, depending on where a state might be in the process of creating a new energy policy framework.

Reports

Green-Collar Jobs in America's Cities

A coalition of non-profit environmental and economic research organizations from across the country today released a first-of-its kind guide to cities and states to enhance one critical component of America’s shared prosperity. The new guide, “Green-Collar Jobs in America's Cities,” was made public at the start of the two-day national Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference in Pittsburgh. It makes a strong case that pursuing a four-step strategy – essentially a metropolitan green business and jobs development plan – provides a wealth of environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Community Jobs in the New Economy

New Energy for America

New Energy for States: Feb. 2006

New Energy For Cities: Aug. 2006

New Energy for Campuses: Oct. 2005

Component Manufacturing

Component Manufacturing

Renewable Energy Potential

Renewable Energy Demand: A Case Study of California

Clean Energy Strategies

These pages discuss how key economic sectors can mobilize to reduce their energy dependence, save on energy costs, and build a healthier environment:

Manufacturing Sector

The manufacturing sector consumes over 30% of all energy in the U.S., making it a prime candidate for energy management. Simple measures can greatly improve manufacturing efficiency, thereby insulating the industry from rising energy prices and increasing its competitiveness.

Public Sector

State and local governments control a remarkable amount of resources – millions of buildings, cars, buses, and dollars of tax revenue – and influence even more through building codes, zoning restrictions, and transportation/parking policies. Because of their control and influence over such a wide array of resources, convincing state and local governments to ‘green’ their infrastructure can drastically reduce energy use in communities across America.

Rural and Agricultural Sector

The last several decades have not been kind to rural communities – family farms have disappeared, energy costs have skyrocketed, and increasing numbers of farmers require supplemental incomes to survive. Many of these alternatives, especially wind energy and biomass/biofuels, rely on the availability of open land and agricultural crops to generate power.