Federal Government Solicits Comments on Green Jobs Definition

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is seeking public comment on the definitions and categories it plans to use to collect data on the number, occupational, industrial and geographic distribution of green jobs. AGC is pleased to report that the BLS, in seeking a definition that is objective and measurable, defines green jobs as "jobs related to preserving or restoring the environment," which is very similar to the AGC-preferred definition of green jobs as those "that have a direct, positive impact on the environment." The BLS lists seven economic activities under which green jobs fall: renewable energy, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas reduction, pollution reduction and cleanup, recycling and waste reduction, agricultural and natural resources conservation, and education, compliance, public awareness, and training. These economic activities result in the production of green goods and services that fall into four types: direct green goods and services (including weatherization of buildings), indirect green goods and services (e.g., goods containing recycled materials), specialized inputs (e.g., wind turbine blades and mass transit rail cars), and the distribution of green goods that fall into one of the first three categories. In order to measure the jobs associated with producing green goods and services, BLS plans to collect data through a sample survey of companies. If a business produces a single item or service determined to be green (e.g., wind turbine blades), then all employment at that business will be counted toward the green job total. For businesses that produce both green and non-green items or services, BLS plans to capture the share of the revenue received from the sale of green goods and services, and use that revenue share to determine the share of the business's employment associated with the production of green goods and services. The BLS is most interested in comments on the seven economic activities and the four types of green goods and services, although the public is free to comment on any portion of the three-page notice. The complete March 16, 2010, notice in the Federal Register, along with the list of green goods and services occupations are available online at the BLS Web site. Comments must be submitted no later than April 30, 2010, and should be sent via e-mail to green@bls.gov, or via postal mail to Richard Clayton, Office of Industry Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4840, 2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., Washington, D.C., 20212. AGC of America plans to submit comments. Any Chapters or AGC members who submit comments are encouraged to email a copy to Liz Elvin at elvinl@agc.org.