A couple of days ago I participated in a New York breakfast meeting of NDN, a Democratic think tank from DC, and was updated on both the probably of passage of cliamte change legislation in the Senate as well the political dimension of the Millenial Generation. Climate change legislation is a matter of 60 votes, we now have 45 definite so the next 6 months are horse trading to get the necessary votes for passage and also to prevent a Republican filibuster.

While the passage of the Waxman/Markey bill last Friday is a great step forward in the development of US carbon markets, it should not be forgotten that we are only halfway to the finish line. The US Senate needs to develop either companion legislation or approve its own version of climate change and energy package. I am very hopeful that this will occur in the next 6 months so that President Obama can go to the global climate meetings in Copenhagen with a firm platform for the US.

To make the change on energy and environment that President Obama wants will require intellectual capital. I am just starting to see the inflow of that talent into the federal service. During the past 2 weeks, two very capable young people have joined the Department of Energy's international office in very senior positions. In discussions yesterday morning with one of these political appointees, I asked if he needed talented young people. He said, of course, as we have to staff up his office. Yesterday, senior officials at EPA were confirmed by the Senate. They will now begin hiring too.

After almost a year, we are proud to announce that our educational arm, The Global Change Foundation Inc, is now a fully functioning entity that can open a bank account and accept contributions. Peter Fusaro signed the legal papers yesterday. In coming months, the Foundation will be launched with a golf outing to kick off fund raising. Also, a major company will be dedicating some of its profits to the Foundation.

Changing financial times and new alliances have given rise to an innovative eco-artistic gathering, The Green Salon, held monthly at Klavierhaus on piano row on West 58th Street. The Salon is enjoying a growing an audience and meeting a need for New Yorkers looking for a meaningful way to relax, learn and meet one another after work and before dinner and all for a modest contribution at the door.

Lately, I have been inundated with resumes from graduating seniors, grad students and people in career transition. It saddens me that there are not many green jobs available for these able and anxious people. But the bitter reality is that there is no green economy. It is a concept that will take time to implement. When I tell young people, that energy projects typically take four, seven or ten years to implement. There is usually a collective groan. Managing expectations on green is not well thought out by many.

This is from an Issue Alert article that was printed Friday. I thought it would be helpful to share it. Peter Fusaro