Workers, community members poised to transition America to a clean energy economy

River Rouge, MI – Congressman John Dingell and Obama Administration Department of Energy Official, David Sandalow joined clean energy workers, business owners, labor leaders and community members last night in River Rouge, Michigan for the Made in America Jobs Tour, highlighting how the benefits of transitioning to a clean energy economy will create jobs while reducing harmful carbon pollution and breaking our dependence on foreign oil.

“The time for action on climate change is now,” said Congressman John Dingell. “Americans cannot afford to wait any longer.  As we address the important issue of climate change, it is also extremely important that we protect our people from economic harm.  We need policies that will protect all consumers from rate hikes, and will also provide special assistance for low-income Americans. Most importantly we need investments in clean energy to create the tens of thousands of new ‘green’ jobs in Michigan at a time when we need them most.”

“Clean energy jobs can put Michigan back to work in good, high-paying jobs,” said David Sandalow, assistant secretary for policy and international affairs, Department of Energy. “Let’s invest in our future now.”

“Investing in clean energy will create the jobs of the future for Michigan – revitalizing manufacturing and at the same time make our country more energy independent,” said United Steelworkers District 2 Director Michael Bolton. “Michigan is on the front lines of the impact of this economic recession, and we need to be proactive about how we revitalize our economy and create good jobs.”

The Made in America Jobs Tour, organized by the Alliance for Climate Protection and the BlueGreen Alliance, kicked off in Cleveland on August 20 and consists of more than 50 events in 22 states, including St. Louis, Missouri; Detroit, Michigan; Gary, Indiana; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

“It’s clear that Michigan’s working families understand the benefits that lie in clean energy,” said Luke Canfora, Repower Michigan State Director. “Our working families are not only prepared to help transition America to a clean energy economy, but are excited to seize the opportunities clean energy and climate solutions provide, and the jobs made in America they create.”

A recent report by the BlueGreen Alliance showed that Michigan stands to gain more than 34,000 manufacturing jobs in wind, solar, geothermal and biomass by instituting a renewable electricity standard. In addition, a report by the Center for American Progress showed that Michigan could gain more than 53,000 jobs from investments in clean energy.

For more information about the Made in America Jobs Tour, visit Repower America http://www.repoweramerica.org/tour or the BlueGreen Alliance at www.bluegreenalliance.org.

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The Made in America Jobs Tour is supported by the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation, a 501 c(3) organization dedicated to educating the public about the job-creating potential of global warming solutions, including the expansion of renewable energy and energy efficiency across the United States.