BlueGreen Alliance | Green Investments Supporting Job Creation in 21st Century Industries

Green Investments Supporting Job Creation in 21st Century Industries

After the President toured Cree, Inc., a manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting, the BlueGreen Alliance said Recovery Act investments have laid the foundation for clean energy and job creation.

June 13, 2011

BlueGreen Alliance Says Essential Recovery Act Investments Jumpstarted 21st Century Industries, Much More Needed to Put America Back to Work

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 13, 2011) President Barack Obama toured Cree, Inc. today, a manufacturer of energy-efficient lighting in North Carolina. The BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director David Foster:

“The President today visits yet another manufacturing facility that is thriving in the production of clean energy technologies. Since the Recovery Act passed in 2009, the approximately $93 billion in green investments is creating or saving nearly 1 million jobs in virtually every industry across the economy – manufacturing, construction, energy services and management, education, and advanced technology research and development. Meanwhile, $46 billion of federal funds are supporting more than $150 billion of additional investment, most of it from the private sector.

“One shining example of jobs supported by these critical investments is the market for electric vehicle technologies. When the Recovery Act passed, the United States produced less than 2 percent of the world’s hybrid batteries. By 2012, the U.S. will have the capacity to produce 20 percent of the world’s lithium-ion batteries for advanced vehicles, and by 2015, this share will rise to 40 percent. This industry and the Recovery Act investments in it are supporting jobs now and in the future.

“Strategic policies and investments will drive America’s economic leadership in the 21st century economy. But unfortunately, our job is not done. We need to get beyond the political stalemate in Washington and instead focus on creating good middle class jobs – putting people back to work, securing our energy future, and ensuring the U.S. is the global economy leader in the jobs and industries of the 21st century.”