‘Green’ advocates say clean energy a job-creating engine
From an article by Larry Avila in The Northwestern, Oshkosh:
Ask Jim Funk if there’s a future in green energy, he’ll likely say “yes.”
With millions of gallons of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico and the country in need of new industries to create jobs, advocates of renewable and alternative energy sources think they have momentum on their side. Proponents are pointing to the disaster and high unemployment rates to say now is the time for the government to pass legislation to further development of clean energy.
Funk, who in 2002 formed Energize LLC, a Winneconne-based company that installs solar power systems, was among several participants during a telephone press conference Friday urging Wisconsin Sens. Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold to act on clean energy and climate legislation.
“I feel the public really wants clean energy,” Funk said. “We have economic challenges today and other countries are facing similar economic and environmental issues … it’s critical something happens now because we are in competition for (green) jobs.”
