Campaign Alert! Bring Green Jobs to Great Falls

TAKE ACTION!!
The Melinda Gopher Campaign Issues this Alert
December 22, 2009

STIMULUS FUNDS FOR GREAT FALLS JOINTLY OWNED
LITTLE SHELL/MIGISEW CHIPPEWA WIND TURBINE MANUFACTURING PLANT

These two landless, dispossessed Chippewa treaty bands deserve America’s attention, and a step up. Because of their status as landless for over a century—they understand the value of hard work—these bands’ members fought for equality on the Montana Indian Firefighting crews. Today, I am proposing a jointly owned wind turbine manufacturing plant to be located in the vacant but usable Buttrey Foods warehouse and it’s adjacent outdoor property. The potential for the creation of good paying jobs is enormous—these jobs average 30,000 to 60,000 per year.

I do not agree that 84% of over 1 billion in stimulus funds for green jobs allocated since September of this year have gone to foreign companies. This is not the purpose of ARRA. I point to the joint project in Texas, as illustrated in a New York Times story;

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/06/business/energy-environment/06wind.html
The NYT article states:

The Texas project — a joint venture between the American private equity firm U.S. Renewable Energy Group, Cielo Wind Power and A-Power Energy — would create about 300 construction and operational jobs in Texas, according to the partners, but substantially more manufacturing jobs in China.

My answer is no: we need these jobs here in Montana. We must be careful in the green economy; that in the push to create alternative energy—federally funded efforts do not do the opposite of the whole point of the ARRA of 2009. I am proposing the city, GFDA, and these two tribes work to bring these jobs to Great Falls. I am also proposing an immediate ban on use of ARRA funds for jobs overseas. I want tribes prioritized in the new green economy.

There is a problem with over-reliance on the manufacturing of green technology and energy components to foreign firms. We need the help of the public and private sector to create these jobs here in America. With the help of many people, the Montana Jobs Coalition, Loud Thunder International, and these two tribal groups—we can make this happen. I am asking for the directive of the Congress and the Obama administration to re-direct this contract for the Texas project to these bands.

A proposal for this is under development—the Montana delegation will be asked to come on board to support this, and help garner the resources to make this happen. I have asked directed my campaign to work to make this happen. You can reach Glenn Gopher, at 761-4871, Richard Parenteau at 231-7577, and Brock Conway, 728-1055. We ask you present your ideas and indicate the ways you want us to help.