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Green-Blue New Deal and Just Transition
On July 6, 2021, the Richmond City Council adopted Resolution 88-21 to support the process of developing a Richmond Green-Blue New Deal and Just Transition to 21st Century jobs.
On October 7, 2021, the City Manager’s Office, Economic Development released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit the professional services of a qualified organization to assist in the development and implementation of a community driven workforce development plan using a Green-Blue New Deal and Just Transition Framework. The RFP Closed on November 2, 2021 and City Council awarded the contract on April 5, 2022, to Appraccel, LLC who's team includes Groundwork Richmond, Richmond Safe Return Project, MIG, HR&A Advisors, Medema Consulting, and Abbe & Associates.
The goal of the project is to catalyze at least 1,000 new green-blue jobs for Richmond residents that build a just, equitable, resilient and sustainable future.
COMING SOON!
- Community Survey Results
- Safe Return Project Report
Please stay tuned for the upcoming survey results and published report from the Safe Return Project workshops.
Project Deliverables:
- Green New Deal Workforce Development Plan with Just Transition framework
- Implementation Strategy
- Community toolkit
- Building decarbonization jobs analysis
- Economic development insights analysis
- Community workshops and focus groups
-
Samantha Carr
Environmental Manager
Justine Burt
Project Manager
Appraccel LLC
thegreatpivot@gmail.com
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Community Engagement
Community Input Needed! Upcoming Green-Blue New Deal Workforce Development Draft Plan Workshops 5/20 & 5/24
On Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 10:00am to 12:00pm PST, the City will host an in-person community engagement workshop at the Richmond Recreation Complex (3230 Macdonald Ave) to solicit input on the development of the draft Green-Blue New Deal Workforce Development Plan. The City invites anybody who lives or works in Richmond to attend and provide input that will guide the development of the final strategic plan to catalyze 1,000 local green jobs in Richmond. A virtual option is available at a later date on May 24th.
On Wednesday, May 24, 2023 from 6:00pm to 7:30pm PST, the City will host a virtual community engagement workshop via Zoom (https://ci-richmond-ca-us.zoom.us/j/95288649805) to solicit input on the development of the draft Green-Blue New Deal Workforce Development Plan. The City invites anybody who lives or works in Richmond to attend and provide input that will guide the development of the final strategic plan to catalyze 1,000 local green jobs in Richmond. This is the virtual option/alternative to those who cannot attend the in-person workshop scheduled for May 20th.
Presentations
Appraccel, LLC gave an introductory presentation on the Green-Blue New Deal at various Richmond Commissions, Committees, & Trade Councils from September to April.
- September 14, 2022 and October 12, 2022 - Richmond Economic Development Commission
- September 15, 2022 - Richmond Workforce Development Board
- October 17, 2022 - Richmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
- September 19, 2022 - Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council
- November 2022 - Richmond Workforce Development Board
- January 9, 2023 at 7PM - Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council
- January 2023 - East Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council
- March 2023 - Council of Industries, Richmond Chamber of Commerce
- April 12, 2023 - Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades Council
Community Champions Meeting Series
Appraccel, LLC organized a series of Community Champions meetings from October 2022 through Spring 2023, where groups, both public and private, met to serve as an advisory body to the GBND Project Team. These sessions are intended to help guide and refine the plan's goals and strategies in order to ensure that the plan is responsive to the community's interests and needs. To view the presentations, please click on the links below.
- Richmond Green-Blue New Deal Community Champions Meeting #1 Presentation
- Richmond Green-Blue New Deal Community Champions Meeting #2 Presentation
- Richmond Green-Blue New Deal Community Champions Meeting #3 Presentation
Furthermore, if you are interested in joining as a member to the Community Champions, please contact Appracel LLC at thegreatpivot@gmail.com. There is still time to join as the fourth Community Champions meeting is approaching.
Additional Workshops & Tabling Events
The following is a complete list of workshops, presentations, and/or tabling events Appraccel, LLC attended since the RGBND project started in June 2022.
- Sept 2022 - 2 Safe Return Project workshops
- Oct 2022 - 1 Safe Return Project workshop, tabled at Urban Tilth's Halloweenland, Economic Development Commission, Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee
- Nov 2022 - Community Champions meeting #1, Workforce Development Board
- Dec 2022 - Management Leadership Team presentation with HR&A, Economic Development Commission
- Jan 2023 - Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council, Community Champions meeting #2, East Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council, Economic Development Commission
- Feb 2023 - tabled at Urban Tilth's President's Day event, Economic Development Commission
- Mar 2023 - Council of Industries/Chamber of Commerce workshop, Contra Costa Building Trades presentation, Economic Development Commission
- Apr 2023 - Community Champions meeting #3, Contra Costa Building Trades workshop
Background
Green-Blue New Deal
As stated in Resolution 88-21:
- A Green New Deal- “a program of investments in equitable clean-energy jobs and infrastructure, transforming and transitioning not just the energy sector, but the entire economy.”
- A Blue Economy- “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.”
- Green-Blue New Deal- “must incorporate key sectors of the Blue Economy in order to fully address the climate crisis.”
Just Transition
The Just Transition framework, developed by the Climate Justice Alliance and Movement Generation, can be found here, describes transitioning from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.
The four steps of the cycle are:
- Resources,
- Worldview,
- Purpose, and
- Governance.
COVID-19 Effects on Unemployment
The City of Richmond’s workforce has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 caused a surge in unemployment in Richmond with a peaked of 3,412 weekly unemployment claims in late March 2020. Since then, weekly unemployment claims have significantly decreased and have stayed below 500 per week. In February 2020 the Richmond unemployment rate was at 3.3 percent and spiked to 17.10 percent in April 2020. Although there has been some recovery, the Richmond unemployment rate is higher than the Contra Costa County unemployment rate of 6.2 percent and slightly higher than the California unemployment rate of 7.5 percent.
The City Manager’s Office, Economic Development division is continuously working to promote a competitive, sustainable, and equitable economy for all. City staff members are focused on supporting our community through both the COVID-19 pandemic and in the long-term to maintain the City of Richmond’s vibrancy and diversity.
Unemployment Rate of the City of Richmond, Contra Costa County, and California
| Richmond | Contra Costa County | California |
February 2020 (%) | 3.3 | 3.1 | 4.3 |
April 2021 (%) | 17.1 | 14.5 | 16 |
June 2021 (%) | 8.7 | 6.2 | 7.5 |
Examples of Local Green New Deals in California and Other States
Bay Area Case Studies
- San Francisco, CA - 100% renewable energy by 2030. Now, more than 18.5 MW of in-City renewables already installed, with 15 MW of solar PV (more than 2,000 systems) city-wide and 3.5 MW of biogas cogeneration at the wastewater treatment plants. All public transportation runs on electricity or biodiesel.
- City of San Jose, CA - Provided a city-wide ‘Green Vision,’ a 15-year sustainability plan to steer economic growth and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under that plan, the City made strides as a national leader in the sustainability movement. In 2018, that plan was updated with Climate Smart, an ambitious campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save water, and improve quality of life. Details of the Climate Smart Plan focus on building public private partnerships. The program includes Better Communities for residents and Building Performance Leaders for commercial, municipal and educational facilities.
- City of Richmond, CA has a solar farm project that is an example of a public-private partnership to increase renewable energy infrastructure and create hundreds of good jobs in the process.
- Green job training program
- Climate Action Plan
- A separate climate and energy element in the General Plan
- City of Chico, CA - City of Chico Green New Deal was introduced to the City of Chico and serves as a model along with tips, information, and opportunities for going forward. Link to the City of Chico Green New Deal.
- City of Burlingame, CA - City of Burlingame joined numerous cities, and passed their own all-electric reach code for new construction and larger renovations projects.
- City of Fremont, CA - City of Fremont with three fire stations on solar microgrids. During a blackout, critical facilities with solar microgrids can island from the electricity grid and still serve the community. This project included local cleantech companies. and used a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) that generates revenue and has no up-front costs.
- City of Pinole, CA - "Visit Pinole" is a campaign to support economic growth and public-private partnerships.
Southern California Case Studies
- City of Encinitas, CA - "Power 100." 100% renewable energy by 2030, resulting in more local jobs in clean energy.
- City of Lancaster, CA - Net zero electricity by 2020. Since 2008, the city has actively recruited solar and other renewable energy developments to great success. The latest is the world’s largest renewable hydrogen fuel plant which will convert municipal solid waste into hydrogen vehicle fuel. This strategy has generated hundreds of jobs. Partnerships with local higher education to develop programs ensures that the local workforce has the skills needed for future jobs in renewable energy.
- City of San Diego, CA - 100% renewable energy and 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. A comprehensive Climate Action Plan launched by Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer seeks to increase water and energy efficiency in buildings, expand public transport, increase the number of electric vehicles, promote walking and cycling routes, implement zero-waste strategies, & enact climate adaptation measures.
- City of Solano Beach, CA - 100% renewable energy by 2030.
Case Studies Outside of California
- City of Ithaca, NY (2019) – Ithaca’s Green New Deal sets a goal of carbon-neutrality community-wide by 2030 while addressing economic inequality and racial injustice.
- New York City, NY (2019) – New York City’s Green New Deal includes goals of carbon neutrality and 100% clean electricity by 2050 while creating thousands of new green jobs. Some strategies include requiring existing buildings to cut emissions and banning inefficient glass-walled buildings.
- City of Columbia, SC – The City of Columbia, SC has committed to clean energy, energy efficiency, and water conservation improvements including the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2036. Their resolution emphasizes economic growth, job creation, and reduced utility costs. Between 2015 and 2016, they supported the increase of solar energy–related jobs in Columbia by 46%.