WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 17, 2011) After Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee today, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director David Foster:

“Earlier today, Secretary Chu testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee about the need to compete with China and other countries or ‘accept defeat’ in the race for global leadership in the fast-growing clean energy economy. Secretary Chu could not be more right. To maintain the jobs we have now, and to create the new jobs desperately needed by millions of Americans, we can and we must compete to win the race for clean energy technologies. We simply can’t sit on the sidelines and expect to maintain our position in the global marketplace.

“The United States has long supported innovation and technology – such investments led to the success of the space program and development of the Internet. But we have only dipped a toe in the waters of clean energy, while other countries are diving in. China controls half the global market for solar manufacturing. With government policies and investments, there is no doubt that nations like China are taking this challenge – and the job opportunities presented with it – very seriously.

“Our number one priority should be creating jobs. And that should be our top priority in Congress, in state legislatures and in governors’ offices around the country. Our national debate should center around how to best capitalize on the opportunities to create good jobs in industries that will drive our domestic and global economy for years to come, whether renewable energy, energy efficiency, infrastructure, advanced vehicles or expanding broadband Internet.

“It’s time to focus on creating the jobs of the 21^st century economy. This is a competition we can and must win.”