1Sky and Allied Groups Hold More Than 65 Rallies Nationwide Calling for a Clean Energy Jobs Bill

Activists Hold “Beach Parties” Outside State Offices to Press Senators For Support

August 11, 2009

Contact: Alex Posorske (301) 270-4550 x230; alex@1sky.org

Takoma Park, MD – On the first weekday of the U.S. Senate’s summer recess, community leaders and activists from 1Sky and allied groups held over 65 “Beach Parties” in 28 states nationwide yesterday in front of Senate offices urging a comprehensive clean energy jobs bill when the Senate returns this fall.

Images of the beach parties from throughout the country can be viewed at http://www.1sky.org/beach-party-pics.

“By passing a comprehensive clean energy jobs bill, the U.S. Senate can help steer us toward a renewable energy future and away from the dirty coal and big oil fuels of the past,” said Gillian Caldwell, Campaign Director of 1Sky. “On this first day of the Senate’s summer recess, we thought a beach party was an appropriate way to remind our senators of the challenge and the opportunity that global warming presents to steer America towards a 21st century economy driven by clean energy jobs.”

“At this defining moment, we know that inaction is not an option,” she said. “Our senators must not listen to the forces of the failed status quo – big oil and dirty coal – who demand that Congress sacrifice our economy and our future in favor of their near-term profit margins. Congress needs to serve the American people by saying yes to clean, renewable sources of energy that never run dry, like wind, solar and geothermal.”

After the House passed climate legislation in June, several committees in the U.S. Senate have held hearings on the development of a clean energy jobs bill. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has set a deadline of September 28 for all committees to finalize their drafts of the bill.

1Sky is a collaborative national campaign for strong federal action to tackle global climate change and invest in building the clean energy economy of the future. As the largest collaborative climate campaign in the country, 1Sky combines the force of more than 425 allied organizations, 166,000 committed climate advocates, 1,900 volunteer Climate Precinct Captains covering more than 380 congressional districts in 50 states, and a team of 45 including 29 organizers in 21 states working to mobilize constituent support.

For more information on 1Sky contact Alex Posorske at (301) 270-4550 x230 or alex@1sky.org