WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 1, 2010) Following the release of President Barack Obama’s 2011 Budget today, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director David Foster:

“Transitioning to a clean energy economy will put Americans back to work. President Obama continues to lay the foundation for that transition with his 2011 Budget, which includes the administration’s commitment to passing comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation and critical investments in the clean energy infrastructure that will create good, green jobs.

“This budget includes investments in green jobs training, weatherization and retrofit programs to expand energy efficiency, greater deployment of broadband, smart-grid technologies, high-speed rail and transit, as well as expansion of the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit, all of which are crucial to establishing the United States as a global leader in clean energy technologies. The U.S. cannot afford to sit on the sidelines as other countries take the lead in the race for clean energy jobs.

“President Obama’s budget is a important step forward. The next step is for the U.S. Senate to immediately pass comprehensive clean energy and climate change legislation, which will create millions of new jobs and put America ahead of the pack in the race for a clean energy economy.”

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The BlueGreen Alliance is a national partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the green economy. Launched by the Sierra Club and United Steelworkers in 2006, the BlueGreen Alliance now includes the Communications Workers of America, Natural Resources Defense Council, Service Employees International Union, Laborers’ International Union of North America, Utility Workers Union of America, American Federation of Teachers and Amalgamated Transit Union.