New Energy Solutions News

Statement of Wisconsin Environment Director Dan Kohler

 Madison, WI - “President-elect Obama’s plan to rev our economic engine with clean energy will ensure a bright future for America and Wisconsin.  His proposals will turn a trickle of clean energy jobs in America into a torrent of opportunities across the economy.

 “More clean energy for America means less global warming pollution, fewer asthma attacks from air pollution, more clean lakes and rivers for drinking water, swimming and fishing, more secure energy in the long term, and more good jobs right here at home.  Just one proposal, weatherizing 2 million homes, could save consumers $826 million in the first year, spur more than 400,000 jobs, and avert nearly 11 million tons of global warming pollution.  A recent report found that significant federal investment in clean energy could create over 37,000 new jobs in Wisconsin.

 “Gov. Jim Doyle recently testified to Congress that Wisconsin is ready to go with close to a billion dollars in shovel-ready projects that promote clean energy. By making smart investments now, we can set a course to repower America with 100 percent clean electricity, refuel America by cutting our oil dependence in half, and rebuild America with millions of new jobs - and we can do our part to stop global warming. We look forward to working with President-elect Obama and state officials to realize this shared vision. 

 “At the same time, the polluting interests that have always opposed a clean energy economy – Big Oil, King Coal, the road-builders and others – will be lobbying to dominate any economic recovery program. We call on our new Congress to keep it clean and pass a green recovery plan for a cleaner, safer, stronger America.”

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 Wisconsin Environment is a state-based, citizen-funded environmental group working for clean air, clean water, and open space. www.wisconsinenvironment.org