Protecting the Environment by Investing in a Green Economy

Small businesses are the heart of our East Bay community, and a just transition to a green future means empowering these businesses and the local owners and employees. Running a small business is already hard, but we can make it easier and more profitable with the right policies. My plan prioritizes funding for more financial tools to help family businesses and entrepreneurs invest in themselves and in their communities. More tax credits to reduce the upfront costs of green energy upgrades as well as support for businesses operating in traditional underserved communities. Additionally, we seek to support our small businesses in passing the benefits of the green transition onto their employees by investing in bonus credits for companies that use registered green apprenticeship programs and pay competitive wages. Lastly, we advocate for additional tax rebates for landlords who invest in renewable energy installments and greening initiatives in low-income areas, sparking a virtuous cycle of mutual benefit for renters and property owners.

What informed our plan?

• The Solidarity Economy from New Economy Coalition
• Community Wealth Building by Democracy Collaborative
• Policy and Planning Tools for Urban Green Justice from the C40 Knowledge Hub

This is our opportunity to right the wrongs of past economic transitions by investing in the American people. My plan prioritizes giving the people of the East Bay the tools, knowledge, and expertise necessary to lead the green transition, and I won’t stand for anyone being left behind.

This requires targeted investments in urban job training so that mid- and late-career members of our community can pivot to jobs in new industries. It means more funding for scholarships to STEM programs in elite colleges and universities as well as an expansion of community college and apprenticeship programs. It means working with green companies that have lucrative jobs to create pipeline programs to underserved schools and communities so that non-traditional applicants can have pathways to these roles, and so that these companies can have more diverse staff that creates better problem solving. And it means learning from East Bay residents about their dreams and aspirations and ensuring that bridges are built at the Federal level to make these dreams a reality.

What informed our plan?

• The Right Labor Market Policies Can Ease the Green Jobs Transition by John Bluedorn and Niels-Jakob Hansen, International Monetary Fund
• Green & Just Transition from C40 Cities
• The Right Labor Market Policies Can Ease the Green Jobs Transition by John Bluedorn and Niels-Jakob Hansen, International Monetary Fund

The Biden-Harris Administration has supercharged America’s green transition. Through a wave of executive actions, regulations, and legislative achievements like the Inflation Reduction Act, residents and businesses of the East Bay have more ways than ever to make eco-friendly choices while cutting costs and boosting profits. The Administration’s efforts have unleashed billions of dollars in tax relief, green energy investment credits, reduced energy prices, training for new jobs, and green loans and grants that you, your family, and your business can use now, and this is only the beginning! My plan prioritizes outreach and education about these already-available and soon-to-be available resources and opportunities so that the East Bay can be at the front of the line. We cannot afford to miss out and need simple, accessible, and actionable steps so that everyone can become empowered to take this journey together.

What informed our plan?

• Inflation Reduction Act Fact Sheet from The White House
• The Inflation Reduction Act is the biggest climate bill in U.S. history from Citizens’ Climate Lobby
• The Inflation Reduction Act: Guide to Small Business Resources from the Green Business Network