As the unemployment rate reached a four-year high, and after Congress failed this week to extend essential renewable energy tax credits, the BlueGreen Alliance said today that the U.S. is missing an enormous opportunity to create middle-class green jobs.

On August 8, labor and environmental advocates came together for a Clean Energy and Global Solutions Tour in Pittsburgh.

Labor and environmental leaders rallied last July at St. Paul College to call on Gov. Tim Pawlenty to create and implement a plan to create green jobs for Minnesota.

The BlueGreen Alliance today welcomed former Vice President Al Gore’s challenge to build a new energy economy, saying that investments in renewable energy alternatives will help to create middle-class green jobs in the United States.

This report, released in June 2008, examined 12 states and the people employed in occupations affected by six green economic strategies: building retrofitting, mass transit, energy-efficient automobiles, wind power, solar power and cellulosic biofuels.

Increasing investment in the “green” economy could produce tens of thousands of new Ohio manufacturing jobs in the coming years. That was the consensus of more than 75 people who attended a town hall Wednesday night hosted by USW, BGA and the We Campaign.

Increasing investment in the “green” economy could produce tens of thousands of new Wisconsin manufacturing jobs in the coming years. That was the consensus of more than 60 people who attended a town hall Tuesday night hosted by USW, and sponsored by BGA, along with former Vice President Al Gore’s We Campaign.

Workers at every skill level will be in high demand and enjoy greater job security in key industries essential to building a clean energy economy, according to a report from a coalition of conservation and labor groups.

Mayors Chris Coleman of Saint Paul and R.T. Rybak of Minneapolis presented a study providing a blueprint for both cities to pursue green manufacturing opportunities and take advantage of the expanding green business sectors.

Making it Green provides a blueprint for Minneapolis Saint Paul to pursue green manufacturing opportunities and take advantage of the expanding business sectors around green products and design.

The BlueGreen Alliance joined the Alliance for Climate Protection, the nonprofit organization founded by Vice President Al Gore, as part of its rapidly expanding coalition of organizations taking steps to solve the climate crisis.

A national Renewable Electricity Standard would create thousands of manufacturing jobs at existing firms making parts for wind turbines, solar panels and other clean energy technologies.