WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 25, 2011) After President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address tonight, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director David Foster:

“Tonight, President Obama asked Americans to reinvent ourselves for the clean energy economy. By challenging us to invest in clean energy, modernize our infrastructure, embrace high-speed rail, recommit to our educational institutions, and expand access to high-speed internet, he set a path that will create millions of new jobs, protect the environment, and increase America’s energy independence.

“From fourth floor walk-ups in the Bronx to Rust Belt communities in Ohio and Michigan to clean tech centers of California, Americans are ready to take on that challenge. Crafted properly, it’s the smart course to solve America’s unemployment crisis and create a competitive 21st century All-American economy.

“The actions we take in response to this challenge will determine whether these jobs are created here in the United States, or elsewhere. Countries like China are outpacing our investment and positioning themselves to lead the world in the clean energy industries of the future. But the United States can still right the course, level the playing field, pass the policies and support research and development that ensures those clean energy jobs are located here, and that they support millions of families for generations to come.

“Congress should take up the President’s challenge and pass policies to jumpstart the development and production of clean energy technologies in the United States, including a federal Renewable Electricity Standard and the critical investments in manufacturing, infrastructure, education and broadband that will support the American economy of the future.

“President Obama tonight rightly declared this to be our generation’s ‘Sputnik moment.’ As a nation, we have the opportunity to launch a new generation of innovation and job creation, and to claim the mantle of global leader in clean energy.”