WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 21, 2010) Following today’s announcement of Retrofit Ramp-Up Awards by Vice President Biden, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director David Foster:

“We applaud the Obama administration for making a significant down payment on the energy-efficiency residential and building-retrofit industry.

“Twenty-five communities will receive millions of dollars of Recovery Act funding to provide a much-needed boost to the budding retrofit industry. Investments in energy efficiency create more opportunities for high-road construction jobs and expedite a smooth transition to a clean energy economy. As the Vice President announced today, an estimated 30,000 jobs across the country will be created over the next three years.

“From Detroit to Lowell to Greensboro, these funds will leverage an estimated $2.8 billion from other sources over the next three years to retrofit homes and businesses in America.

“The BlueGreen Alliance is committed to continue working with the administration to ensure that as the energy-efficiency industry ramps up, it provides high quality work and creates high quality jobs.”

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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 clean energy economy. Launched by the United Steelworkers and Sierra Club 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, Utility Workers Union of America, American Federation of Teachers, Amalgamated Transit Union, and the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association.