Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment

SOCM's Green-Collar Jobs (GCJ) Committee understands the urgency in Tennessee to develop a more just and sustainable economy through green-collar jobs. Our vision is to ensure family-supporting jobs with workers' rights, which strenthen communities and provide pathways out of poverty and an equitable, sustainable clean energy economy in Tennessee. As David Beaty, Chair of the Committee and Fentress County resident, said in a Letter to the Editor of the Fentress Courier, "We must join together and let our elected officials know that they work for us and ask them to join us in this vision" (February 11, 2009). The Committee is engaging interested SOCM members in each of the three regions of the state to devlop community assets and the potential for green-collar jobs in local communities. It is open to all interested SOCM members, so join today!

One of the goals of SOCM's Green Collar Jobs committee is to educate people on how to reduce energy consumption. Doing so will reduce our reliance on dirty energy sources such as coal and nuclear and help build an economy in Tennessee based on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Over the next few months, we will be sharing stories from SOCM members who have made simple changes in their energy consumption. We encourage you to look at your daily habits and utility bills and compare them with friends and neighbors. Through this series, we want to open the doors of communication and increase awareness around our energy consumption.

If you have a story to tell, email Green Collar Jobs Organizer Katie Greer at  . We want to hear from you!

Jean's Story

Thanks to the solar panels on her home, Cumberland County Chapter Chair Jean Cheely had a NEGATIVE electric bill!

Lauren's Story

Lauren used an in-home evaluation provided by TVA's Energy Right program to find opportunities for improvement in her home.

Franz's Story

Franz created his own geo-thermal system for his house which saves him over $500 a year on his electric bill!

Wayne and Nancy's Story

Wayne and Nancy found that little improvements really helped keep their energy costs low, but a programmable thermostat was a major money-saver!

Hector's Story

SOCM member Hector Black found a way to improve his gas mileage by changing his driving habits. Thanks for the tip, Hector!

Katie's Story

SOCM staffer Katie Greer explains how she saved money on her utility bill by getting a TVA In-Home Energy Audit and making a few home improvements. She's sharing her story on her progress toward making her home more energy efficient.