WASHINGTON, DC (January 12, 2015) – After the conclusion of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Kim Glas:

“Seven years after President Obama took office, our economy is getting back on track and the United States has taken the most significant action yet to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that will help to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. From early investments in the clean energy economy, to the Clean Power Plan, vehicle emissions rules, the Paris agreement, and standards to reduce natural gas leaks, President Obama has set the stage to address climate change in a way that creates and maintains quality jobs.

“However, there is still more to be done. The Obama administration can continue this work by finalizing standards to reduce natural gas leaks in new and modified energy facilities, and extending those standards to existing facilities. In addition, as states work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, President Obama and Congress should jumpstart efforts to provide transition assistance for workers and communities impacted by America’s energy transition. Finally, we remain concerned about how the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will impact jobs and the environment. The TPP is neither a fair nor just agreement, and if approved by Congress, will cost American workers their jobs and put our hard-won workplace and environmental protections at risk. Congress should reject it.

“We thank President Obama for his leadership and dedication to building a stronger, fairer economy and protecting our environment. We are proud to have supported these efforts and look forward to continuing to work with him to achieve more great things this year.”