Green Jobs are Subprime Jobs?

If you are going to pursue truth, you have to be prepared to change your mind!

"Subprime" Green Jobs?

Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) , in his opening statement on the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454), attacked green jobs as “subprime:”

“There’s little doubt in my mind that this legislation will shut down businesses and eliminate blue and white collar jobs. While I know the majority has prided its plan on the creation of green jobs mr chairman I have listened to some of our counterparts in Europe discuss their experience with these green jobs....They may be described as “subprime” in comparison to solid traditional manufacturing jobs we’ve recently lost to other countries.” [Emphasis added.]

Wow, looks terrible! How about some facts?

Here’s a look at some of those “subprime” jobs:

There are 3 newish solar panel companies in my area. First Solar has been around the longest, Sunlight for a couple of years, and Willard & Kelsey Solar Group LLC has recently started up.

For a list of the “subprime jobs they offer, may I suggest

FirstSolar has 83 jobs open, most require a 4 year engineering degree.

How 'shaky' is FirstSolar? How likely is it those jobs will be lost?

“First Solar has demonstrated strong revenue growth over the past three years. Since 2004, it has more than doubled its revenue each successive year while turning a profit in 2008.

“In the first quarter of 2008, First Solar saw net sales of $196.9 million - up $130 million year-on-year but down $3.9 million from 4Q07. Gross margins were 53% - down 2.3% from 4Q07. The company's backlog is worth $6 billion.”
http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/First_Solar_(FSLR)

Xunlight has 13 positions open, mainly engineering but one requires a law degree and license.

Wksolargroup doesn’t list their openings on line, but word on the street is that they’re mainly looking for engineers and skilled machinists.

Pretty rotten jobs, eh?

Who was it who warned us about "nattering nabobs of negativity?"

[Thanks to The Wonk Room at ThinkProgress for calling attention to the comments by Rep. Gingrey]