ACES Passes House of Representatives, Moves America Further Down the Path to Good Jobs and Clean Environment

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 26, 2009) After the U.S. House of Representatives today passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director David Foster:

“Today marks a historic and critical step forward in building a clean energy economy in the United States – an economy that creates good jobs and reduces the carbon pollution that causes global warming. Chairmen Waxman and Markey, as well as members of Congress who voted in favor of this legislation, are to be commended for their remarkable leadership in the face of two of the biggest environmental and economic challenges of our time.

“The BlueGreen Alliance and its labor and environmental partners believe that comprehensive climate change legislation is essential to creating millions of jobs building the clean energy economy, particularly in manufacturing and construction, two industries hard hit by the economic downturn.

“Strengthening this legislation as it moves through Congress is essential to meeting its potential to jumpstart the American economy and revitalize the middle class. We look forward to working with the Senate to strengthen key provisions related to the Renewable Electricity Standard, investments in clean energy, energy efficiency, worker training and fair treatment of our workers.”

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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, Laborers’ International Union of North America, Service Employees International Union and the Utility Workers Union of America.