Mayor Peduto speaks in favor of new EPA rules (Pittsburgh: standard of living, dangerous)

[I_Like_Spam]

Yesterday's big event, which included protests from labor activists, featured some words from the mayor.


"We're not being dismissive of our brothers and sisters that are part of the older energy economy,We want to bring them along and give them good jobs and opportunities in a new economy."


I haven't seen so far, any blue collar jobs in Pittsburgh building solar panels or wind turbines and there aren't any new hydroelectric projects in the region either.


What future plans does Mayor Peduto have to bring good blue collar jobs and opportunities in the area of green energy in the city?

[FreightTrainRunning]

So you're in favor of pollution?

[AaronPGH]

Oh shut up. Our air is disgusting/dangerous and it needs to change. Our economy will ADAPT, like it always has and needs to continue to do.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by GeneW

So you're in favor of pollution?

Not at all, I'm just wondering about the new, good jobs that the new energy economy will produce in the Pittsburgh region.

I'm not a member of the union that was protesting at yesterday's event either.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

Oh shut up. Our air is disgusting/dangerous and it needs to change. Our economy will ADAPT, like it always has and needs to continue to do.

I'm sure I'm adapt, and the economy will as well.


But Mayor Peduto was talking about taking leadership in the new energy economy and creating good jobs for the blue collar union members that were protesting the new EPA rules.

Difference between merely adapting and surviving, and thriving.

[FreightTrainRunning]

I know that they were talking to a Slovenian LED company to build a factory in Hazelwood. I haven't seen any updates to that story lately though.

[stburr91]

They'll adapt, just like the steelworkers. Wait, there were no jobs for them, and they left by the tens of thousands annually. I don't see a bright future for these blue collar workers...service industry jobs, and food stamps. Welcome to the new economy.

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by GeneW

I know that they were talking to a Slovenian LED company to build a factory in Hazelwood. I haven't seen any updates to that story lately though.

I could see Pittsburgh being a location for the final assembly and shipping of LED.

But the basic materials for LED lighting are zinc and aluminum, and there really aren't any zinc or bauxite reserves anywhere near here.

The final assembly can be done close to market, but it would seem to be a better location to do the initial work over in Tennessee when there is still active zinc mining. Tennessee, in addition to being close to the natural resources, also has the right to work, which many employers find to be desirable.

I just can't see this project or others like it in LED lighting, as providing that terribly high number of jobs locally.

[bradjl2009]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

Oh shut up. Our air is disgusting/dangerous and it needs to change. Our economy will ADAPT, like it always has and needs to continue to do.

I agree completely

[I_Like_Spam]

Originally Posted by bradjl2009

I agree completely

I agree that people will adapt, even the blue collar types that are losing their jobs. Worst comes to worst, they'll just enjoy a much lower standard of living in the future.

I merely disagree with the mayor's implication that everything will be hunky-dory for the blue collar folks losing their jobs, and they'll be able to go to well-paying green energy jobs.

It would be a breath of fresh air if Mayor Peduto would just tell the people they will have to make sacrifices for the new EPA rules- maybe even substantial financial sacrifices, although some of them might get jobs in the new energy economy of the future.

The implication that the imposition of the new EPA rules is going to be painless in the medium to long term just seems a tad dishonest. And unnecessary, as this is just a one-party city politically. It isn't like Mayor Peduto needs to worry about his livelyhood.