Panel 3 Forms Cover Letter

U.S. Department of Labor

Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Program 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Room 4840 Washington, DC 20212

[date]

Dear Employer:

As the chief source of government data on employment, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) intends to produce data on business employment involved in the production of green goods and services. Green goods and services are defined as goods and services produced by a firm that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources. This data collection will produce regular tabulations of aggregate employment for businesses whose primary output(s) falls into the green goods and services sector. 

In order to collect data on green goods and services employment, BLS is requesting your participation by completing the attached survey form. Please complete and return the form within 7 days of receipt whether or not your company is involved in the green activities.

Your business may have more than one location and each location may be involved in a different activity. We are requesting you to complete this form for the activities performed at the individual worksite identified in Item 1 of the survey.

We estimate that it will take you an average of 15 minutes to complete this form. The OMB control number for this survey is 1220-0181 and expires September 30, 2010.

If you have any questions please contact Kristin Fairman or Robert Viegas at 202-691-5185 or [email protected].

Thank you for your voluntary cooperation and participation.

Sincerely yours,

Patricia M. Getz

Assistant Commissioner

Office of Industry Employment Statistics, Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics

Green Goods and Services Categories

The BLS definition of Green Goods and Services includes the following categories: renewable energy; energy efficiency; pollution and greenhouse gas reduction, pollution clean-up, and recycling and reuse; natural resources conservation; and education, compliance, and public awareness. Examples of what is and what is not included in each category for this survey are listed below.

Renewable Energy	Energy Efficiency	Pollution & greenhouse gas reduction, pollution clean-up, & recycling & reuse	Natural Resources Conservation	Education, Compliance, and Public Awareness
Included:	Included:	Included:	Included:	Included:
Operating a renewable energy plant wind biomass geothermal solar ocean energy (tidal, wave, current, and thermal) hydropower landfill gas and municipal solid waste Designing, developing or building a renewable energy plant Manufacturing parts for use in a renewable energy plant, such as solar cells or wind turbine blades	Designing or building: energy efficient homes or buildings (EnergyStar or LEED certified buildings) weatherization projects retrofitting projects Developing, manufacturing, installing or maintaining: EnergyStar-certified products products certified or eligible for use in LEED construction projects Smart Grid products such as meters, distribution automation devices, software	Carbon emissions monitoring Cap and trade Hazardous waste clean-up Developing, building, manufacturing parts for , or operating: waste or water treatment plant waste to energy facility recycling center or compost facility Developing, manufacturing, installing, or maintaining scrubbers on power plants or other facilities Developing, manufacturing, or maintaining low-emission vehicles, such as hybrids Manufacturing fertilizers from compost or other natural waste products Selling reused merchandise including clothes Salvaging building materials for re-use	Developing or manufacturing WaterSense-certified products Wetlands restoration Sustainability planning Bioscience Environmental research, consulting	Environmental law Education and training related to the prior 4 categories Educational research related to prior 4 categories Environmental media and publications Environmental advocacy Environmental compliance Energy audits Environmental standard certification agencies
NOT included:	NOT included:	NOT included:	NOT included:	NOT included:
Distributing renewable energy to customers Worksites that use renewable energy to operate their business	Using EnergyStar products at your workplace Green practices such as adjusting thermostat temperatures or using fuel efficient vehicles	Operating a power plant or manufacturing facility that uses scrubbers or other methods to reduce pollution Using green products, such as cleaners, at your workplace Carpooling or telecommuting Selling used books, used cars Building with salvaged building materials	Using water conservation practices at your workplace Manufacturers using reused or recycled materials	Distribution of green goods and services