WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 28, 2010) President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden traveled to Tampa today to announce $8 billion in funding for high-speed rail projects in states across the country. The BlueGreen Alliance released this statement from Executive Director David Foster:

“Now more than ever, our number one priority in America must be creating good jobs across the country. President Obama and Vice President Biden demonstrated their commitment to this priority today when they announced $8 billion in funding for high-speed rail projects across the country.

“High speed rail is one strategy that will help to usher America into a clean energy economy. Investments in high-speed rail will drive economic development in communities across the country – creating jobs along the way in transit, manufacturing and construction.

“Today’s investment in high-speed rail is yet another step down the road to a clean energy economy in the United States that creates good jobs and protects the environment for generations to come.”

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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, Service Employees International Union, Laborers’ International Union of North America, Utility Workers Union of America, American Federation of Teachers and Amalgamated Transit Union.