I was struck by something that Barack Obama said during the Nation of Service Forum tonight. In discussing the various ways in which we could channel the desire of young people to serve, he mentioned in passing the what sounded like a "Green Energy Corps".
My first thought was, "what a great idea".
I had never heard him mention the term before, and a quick google search didn't turn up any specific references. Reviewing PDF'd details from the Service page on www.barackobama.com, I came across a brief reference to the "Clean Energy Corps" that says:
Clean Energy Corps to promote energy independence through efforts like weatherization, renewable energy projects and educational outreach. Participants will also work to clean up polluted land and water, plant trees, and work for the environmental health of our nation's natural areas.
I went back to watching the forum, all the while imagining how such a group might work. Since no further clarification was forthcoming, here's what I would envision:
Imagine a group of young people, given a few weeks worth of training on energy conservation. Now turn them loose on schools, government buildings, businesses and neighborhoods.
Give them a simple checklist to help identify wasteful uses of energy and water. Let them check air filters in cars and furnaces. Let them wheel around a compressor to fill tires (and hand out tire gauges!). Let them sell compact fluorescent bulbs to home and business owners, and change them on the spot (and collect old CFL bulbs for recycling). Let them check door and window seals, and carry stick-on insulated tape to close gaps. They could carry information about rebates on replacing appliances for more efficient models (maybe even partner with local stores to offer discounts on qualifying refrigerators, etc).
For senior staff and experienced volunteers, partner with local plumbers to install solar hot water collectors - maybe turn off the gas heat at a community pool.
Teach kids how to calculate payback timeframes and how to explain rules about siting and installing solar and wind power (where the climate and regulations permit). Get local solar and wind companies or contractors to chip in, offering literature and discounts to home and business owners who decide to take advantage of such systems, and be able to answer basic questions on any available tax credit or rebate programs.
We've got a lot of low-hanging fruit around when it comes to reducing our energy needs in this country. A corps of volunteers with basic training and even a modicum of motivation could make a big difference... simply by making it easier for the average person to take positive steps towards cutting their own energy bills while reducing the amount of energy that we, as a country, consume every day.