EPA's Lisa P. Jackson addresses the press conference

Dan Cox and David Tilley

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded nearly $500,000 in grant money to OAI, Inc., a Chicago-based nonprofit workforce development agency, to train 80 workers for green jobs in Chicago. Through funding designated to the EPA by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, this grant is provided through the EPA Brownfields Job Training Program and the Chicago Department of Environment.

The award supports a longstanding environmental technician job training program of OAI's, which has graduated over 300 since 1994. OAI expects at least 75% of these job training graduates will be placed in jobs to clean contaminated sites (brownfields) or weatherize buildings.

EPA expects to announce additional brownfields and job training grants across the country in the coming days.

"The Recovery Act is not only about helping to train individuals for good jobs in their communities, it's helping them rebuild a lasting foundation for prosperity," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "By restoring undeveloped lots through the Brownfields program, or weatherizing buildings to lower energy costs, these workers will generate new economic possibilities, bringing new opportunities and jobs here."

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson addresses press at Chicago Center for Green Technology, July 30th

Brownfields are sites where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants. EPA's Brownfields Program encourages redevelopment of America's estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites. A disproportionate number of brownfields exist in urban areas of economic dispair and blight.

"This is about protecting a healthy environment, and about generating economic opportunties," said Jackson. "Poison in the ground means poison in the economy."

Jackson, OAI director Tipawan Reed, and Chicago Department of Environment Commissioner Suzanne Malec-McKenna made the announcement at an outdoor press conference at the Chicago Center for Green Technology.

"We've done an assessment of jobs we think will be created [through the Chicago Climate Action Plan], with career ladders," said Malec-McKenna. "We've had a 75% placement rate over the years, and we think there is a tremendous opportunity in not only existing work, but in a market that's about to explode."

OAI Director Tipawan Reed said these 80 trainees have yet to be selected, and while there are some minimum requirements for reading and math skills, "the most important criteria is motivation, desire and an interest in the field."

Reed discussed the audition process for job training candidates. "It is a pretty intense two to three day process, sort of like 'American Idol' meets 'Survivor'" The backdrop of the Green Corps graduates chuckled in agreement.