Recovery to Create Green Jobs

For Immediate Release: February 17, 2009
Contact: Liz Rose lrose@1sky.org or (202) 355-3559

Takoma Park, MD – Gillian Caldwell, campaign director for 1Sky, described the recovery bill, which is expected to be signed in to law by President Barack Obama in Denver later today, as "a vital first step to help us transition from a dirty fossil fuel economy to a clean one powered by renewable energy."  Caldwell noted that the green jobs created in the recovery package are pivotal for the nation. She said, "The 1.7 million green jobs provided by the recovery package means the green economy isn't just for consumers.  Because of this new law, workers will be able to earn a paycheck and American households will save money through energy efficiency."  

1Sky is a collaborative national campaign for bold climate policy. Caldwell described the $87 billion in clean energy investments in the recovery law as "the stepping stones to solving the climate crisis."  She explained that the recovery builds the nation's ability to get more cars off the road, out of traffic and less dependent upon fossil fuels by including funding for high speed rail and other crucial transportation projects. The new law includes increased capacity to generate clean electricity. The recovery bill also includes a tax credit for wind and other renewable energy as well as a tax credit for plug-in hybrid cars.

"Bold leadership from President Obama and Congress and the commitment of activists from all walks of life to bold climate action made this day possible," Caldwell said.

"Our work has just begun. The next step is for Congress to work with the President to place a price on carbon this year." Caldwell said. She explained that the U.S. needs to come to the international climate talks in Copenhagen at the end of 2009 with a bold climate policy in hand. Caldwell is urging climate activists from all over the nation to come to Washington, DC for the PowerShift 09 conference at the end of the month and make their voices heard.