SEN. CLINTON OUTLINES PLAN TO INVEST IN CLEAN ENERGY AT CAPITOL HILL ENERGY INDEPENDENCE DAY
Hi Stephen, Thought you would be interested in Sen. Clinton’s plan to invest in clean energy which she announced today that she will reintroduce in the Senate. Clinton joined Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Jay Inslee, and labor leader Anna Burger today at the Apollo Alliance’s national summit to call for clean energy independence. Anne
Anne Thompson, Communication Assoc.
202-955-5665
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CONTACT: Anne Thompson or Toby Chaudhuri at 202-955-5665
SEN. CLINTON OUTLINES PLAN TO INVEST IN CLEAN ENERGY AT CAPITOL HILL ENERGY INDEPENDENCE DAY
Business, Environmental, Labor Leaders Join Senators, Governors At Apollo Alliance Summit, Urge Congress To Invest In Clean Energy Initiatives
WASHINGTON – Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., called for a Strategic Energy Fund to jumpstart investment in clean energy technologies to promote job growth, energy independence, and a cleaner environment at a summit sponsored by the Apollo Alliance on Capitol Hill today.
In outlining her plans, Sen. Clinton said it’s time to take a giant leap in energy innovation.
“We have a big decision to make. We have two paths we can pursue. We can continue to allow our energy needs to hamstring our national security,” said Sen. Clinton. “Or we can choose a different, better path based on performance and the facts – not partisanship and ideology. We can choose a path based on a long-term strategy to secure our economy, to free our hand to protect our security, and to keep faith with our values.”
Sen. Clinton’s plan would deliver clean coal technology, invest in renewable energy, improve America’s vehicles, accelerate homegrown biofuels, increase efficiency and unleash American ingenuity.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt also addressed summit attendees at the event with a speech on his plan to invest in a clean, green energy future, praising the work of the Apollo Alliance.
“The goal that we are united upon is saving our planet and protecting the environment so that our kids do not get sick breathing garbage air,” said Sen. Sanders. “We’re creating the quality jobs that will allow the middle class to expand and not shrink. We are at the beginning of a very powerful political moment.”
Apollo Alliance president Jerome Ringo introduced Sen. Clinton and Sen. Sanders, noting that we can and must meet our nation’s energy challenge head on.
“We are here to go beyond our institutional identities to build a transformational movement that will build a new energy future and change America,” said Ringo. “We’re going to make energy independence a key issue in the presidential campaigns and in legislatures across the country. We’re going to evaluate every major energy plan and dramatically increase our field mobilization on this issue.”
Change to Win Chair and SEIU Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger joined Sen. Clinton and Ringo at today’s Apollo Alliance events. Burger said we are at an exciting crossroads in our country.
“Workers want the American dream but it is out of reach for millions,” said Burger. “By pursuing these opportunities, we can grow the economy and shrink our dependence on foreign oil. We can slow global warming and speed the creation of a new generation of American jobs. We can protect our economy, our security and our environment.”
More than 200 business, environmental and labor leaders gathered with several senators and governors this week at the Apollo Alliance summit to create a strategy to promote clean energy solutions that create good jobs in America. Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash., opened Tuesday’s events with a speech on his plan to create a 21st century clean energy industry, kicking-off dozens of congressional office meetings with Alliance members urging Congress to free our nation of its dependence on foreign oil by investing in clean energy initiatives.
Over the coming months, the Apollo Alliance will evaluate the major energy plans put forward by the presidential candidates and Congress. It is also dramatically increasing its 2008-focused field work to make clean energy and good jobs key issues at the local, state and national levels.
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**NOTE: Video of Sen. Clinton’s remarks will be available online this afternoon at http://www.ourfuture.org. High resolution copies are available upon request.**