For Immediate Release: January 8, 2009
Contact: David Willett, 202-675-6698
Sierra Club Response to President-Elect Obama's Speech on Economic Recovery
Statement of Sierra Club Executive Director, Carl Pope:
We commend President-Elect Obama for his vision of an economic recovery plan that recognizes the vital role of clean energy. His plan makes an important down payment on solutions that will transform America's economy and lead to a clean energy future that will benefit generations to come.
In his speech today, President-Elect Obama outlined three major areas for economic recovery and job creation through clean energy:
- Doubling the production of alternative energy in the next three years.
- Modernizing more than 75% of federal buildings and improve the energy efficiency of two million American homes, saving consumers and taxpayers billions on energy bills.
- Building a smart grid to deliver electricity in a more reliable and efficient manner from cleaner energy sources.
These initiatives are a win-win for a strong economy and a healthier environment. They will create good jobs here in America and reduce our dependence on dirtier energy sources like oil and coal by promoting the shift to wind and solar power and high energy performance, low carbon cars and buildings.
As this plan moves to Congress, it is vitally important that the government focuses on investing in newer, cleaner, more efficient technology and not wasting money on costly, business-as-usual approaches like new coal plants, dams, or "highways to nowhere." We look forward to working with the new President and the Congress to pass this plan and keep it focused on the priorities that will provide short-term economic recovery and long term economic stability and a cleaner, safer world.
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