Covering the Green Economy – Follow the Green Money

From incentives to regulatory policy to renewable energy standards, the green energy world is very much defined by the government.

And behind each of these initiatives is money marked for green. There are small businesses snatching up stimulus cash for solar panels and mega-government grants awarded to projects that foster alternative energy. But with millions spread all around the country into different pockets, how do you find where green monies are landing in your coverage area? In this Webinar, Russ Choma will teach you the skills to find the green money trail on your beat. He’ll show you how to track green stimulus projects and identify the other cash trickling from Washington into your backyard. 

TIME: Noon OR 4 p.m. EDT

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN 

• How local and federal public policy shapes today’s green energy industry and what it means for the growth — or decline — of the green businesses on your beat.
• How to investigate the stimulus programs that redefined the American green energy industry — including those that are still spending two years later — and how to figure out the legacy of those already finished.
• What the future holds for an industry closely identified with the Democratic party, and defined by government incentives and regulation, after the Republican victories in November.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR 

Russ Choma is an investigative reporter who focuses on climate and energy issues and stimulus spending. His work has appeared in several publications including the Investigative Reporting Workshop, Nieman Watchdog, Politics Daily, Grist.org and MSNBC.com. His recent series, “Blown Away: Tracking stimulus grants for renewable energy” found that more than 80 percent of the first $1 billion in grants to wind-energy companies went to foreign firms, and many renewable energy projects that received stimulus cash were built well before President Obama was even inaugurated. 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM 

This free seminar is sponsored by the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism. 

The Reynolds Center is funded by a grant from the Las Vegas, Nevada-based Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. Besides its workshops, the center runs BusinessJournalism.org, offering tips, training and resources for those who want to do a better job of covering business. Those who successfully complete three regional workshops or online seminars presented by the Reynolds Center are eligible to receive a “Circle of Achievement” award certificate. If you have any questions about the Webinar or the center, please e-mail Executive Director Linda Austin or call 602-496-9187.