Obama's New Energy Economy Can Help Midwest

During this past Presidential Campaign, I was part of a group called “CleanTech for Obama” which developed an impressive network of individuals throughout the country, especially in the 15 battleground states. Our focus was to promote Obama’s new energy economy agenda and illustrate the need for building green jobs. Now, as President-Elect Obama creates his administrative team, it is clear that the new energy economy continues to be a priority for the future.

Leaders from the “CleanTech for Obama” gathered in San Francisco this past week to discuss the possibility of forming an organization to build on the network from the campaign. I was flattered to be invited to participate in this meeting. It was a very impressive group of individuals whose expertise range from venture funding to policy development to grassroots organizing and environmental advocacy. Even with differing personal agendas, the members of the group came to a very important consensus - the urgency to create a future that leads with green collar jobs, builds energy solutions companies, creates energy security, and supports energy efficiencies.

The epicenter of energy activity has been focused on states like California and Oregon where environmental issue are part of every day life. But now with the auto crisis these past couple of months, it becomes more apparent that the spotlight needs to shift and widen to include the Midwest. There is now more significance to the notion of converting our industries into green businesses and green collar jobs as well as a driving force for the economic transformation of this region. We need to be at the forefront of encouraging creative innovations that will support the auto industry’s transition period. And, we can utilize these new skills for broader energy solutions throughout our region and our country as a whole.

I was one of only a few people of the Midwest at the meeting in San Francisco, so I feel compelled to help bring the new green environmental message and initiatives to this part of our country—the heart of it all.

Bonnie Milenthal is a partner of The Milenthal Group – a strategic marketing firm focused on helping "game changers" transition from ideation to commercialization, or from public unawareness to mass movement by helping develop their missions, create brands, establish persuasive selling propositions and find a powerful voice in today's new ideology and new economy.