WASHINGTON, DC (January 4, 2012) Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the December unemployment numbers, showing the economy gained 155,000 jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 7.8 percent. The following is a statement from BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director David Foster:

“December caps off a solid year for job creation and economic growth. Economic indicators show that this year we have laid a stronger foundation for growth over the coming years. There’s still work to be done though. A new session of Congress which started yesterday holds tremendous potential to make the strategic investments in our economy that will translate to long-term gains.

“There are still some tough choices ahead for Congress in the coming months, but taking head on the challenges of climate change and rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure should be a high priority. Renewing the Production Tax Credit was a good way to start. Creating and sustaining the good jobs that will continue to rebuild the economy and put people back to work will require much more over the next year.”