A green economic recovery package--a jumpstart to our economy

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This recovery package will help to create and save nearly 4 million jobs and revive our struggling economy, as well as invest in necessary public works which will better position the United States for a prosperous future. The stimulus package begins a green transition for America, investing in an estimated 500,000 green-collar jobs that will simultaneously put Americans back to work and help to end our dependence on fossil fuels, significantly reduce global warming pollution and save businesses and individuals money on energy bills.

This package is a major down payment on the clean, renewable energy future this country has been waiting for and desperately needs. The bill includes close to $70 billion for clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives that will help the country achieve energy independence.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will start rebuilding our economy immediately by creating or saving millions of jobs. We can repair and renew our economy with smart, targeted investments in health, energy and technology initiatives. From advanced, plug-in hybrid batteries that will propel our vehicles and automotive industry into the future, to weatherization programs that will save consumers thousands of dollars on energy bills while creating thousands of new jobs, this legislation will modernize our cars, our homes and our workforce.

This economic recovery package will help to put Americans back to work today and will ensure our economy thrives as we progress into the future by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, initiating smart grid technology and investing in public works such as improved mass transit, home weatherization and efficiency measures for businesses as well as appliances.

The stimulus package represents a step toward re-powering America, doubling our renewable energy production and investing $69 billion in jobs that put shovels in the ground and windmills in the sky. It jump starts waste-cutting efficiency projects and invests in desperately needed advanced battery technologies to ensure the clean cars of tomorrow are built here at home.

Watch Chairman Markey address the U.S. House of Representatives with the green economic recovery plan.

Of course we still have a long way to go; we're still not investing nearly as much as we should on energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies and other green investments. But we have to start somewhere--and this package is a good start.