U.S. EPA administrator Gina McCarthy visited a GRID Alternatives installation in Long Beach, CA to learn about our work, meet Jerry Shumate, a low-income homeowner benefiting from solar, and talk with job trainees about their solar futures.
"The President knows that the challenge of climate change is real. If you're looking at what we're doing today, it's exactly the kind of action we're looking for," said Administrator McCarthy. "GRID is part of a vision for the future that is benefiting the kids of today."
Administrator McCarthy had the opportunity to meet Jerry, who was having solar installed on his home that day. He'd suffered a major car accident that left him disabled, and is now battling Leukemia. The solar will help him power his home medical equipment, and the savings will help him afford his chemotherapy treatments. Installing his system were a group of 10 students from Los Angeles Trade Technical College's Solar PV Technician certificate program. We partner with job training organizations throughout the country to provide hands-on installation experience. In 2013 alone, more than 60 individuals in the greater Los Angeles area reported getting jobs in the solar industry after volunteering with us.
Read more about the day in the Press-Telegram and view pictures from the day here.