Statement From Green For All CEO Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins on the introduction of the Senate's draft Clean-Energy Jobs Bill

Today, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, which  lays the groundwork for a clean-energy economy, was introduced in the Senate by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and John Kerry (D-MA).  The legislation includes two important provisions.

The statement, from Green For All Chief Executive Officer Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, follows:

“We applaud Senators Boxer and Kerry for authoring this critical piece of legislation and including important provisions that will make the promise of a clean-energy economy real for those workers struggling the most in these tough times.

“Although funding levels are not included in this draft, the  bill lays the foundation for substantial investments in workforce education to prepare workers for jobs and careers in the clean-energy economy.  It also ties clean-energy investments to strategies that maximize opportunities for local, low-income workers.  

“While much work lies ahead on the legislation, Senators Boxer and Kerry – with invaluable support from Senators Bernard Sanders (I-VT) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) – have made great strides to develop climate protection policy that provides an opportunity for all Americans to benefit from the green economy.

“As an organization dedicated to building broad opportunity through green investment and policy, we hope today’s draft bill will begin a real conservation about how to address climate change in a way that will improve the health, wealth, and well-being of low and moderate-income people and provide pathways out of poverty for all American workers and communities.

“We urge the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to expeditiously pass this bill, which supports climate protection and economic recovery.”

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About Green For All (www.greenforall.org)

Green For All is a national organization dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through a clean energy economy. The organization works in collaboration with the business, government, labor, and grassroots communities to create and implement programs that increase quality jobs and opportunities in green industry – all while holding the most vulnerable people at the center of its agenda.