Global Warming Solutions News

For Release: January 14, 2009, 10 AM PST

Contact: Kristin Anderson, (206) 568-2857, kanderson@environmentwashington.org

 Washington Has a Bright Future in Clean Energy

 Seattle, WA– America can reduce global warming pollution by nearly 10 percent annually, replace the power equivalent of 170 coal fired power plants, and create or sustain more than 3 million jobs by making investment in clean energy and transportation a cornerstone of our economic recovery plan, according to a report by Environment Washington.

 “Our nation can no longer afford the toll dirty energy is exacting on our environment and economy,” said Kristin Anderson, Field Associate at Environment Washington.  “Clean energy can protect our environment and rev our economic engine to generate a brighter future for Washington” 

 Environment Washington’s report, Clean Energy, Bright Future, estimates the environmental benefits of $150 billion in investments in energy efficiency, clean energy such as wind and solar power and green infrastructure such as public transit. These investments will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the leading cause of global warming, by 670 million tons per year when fully implemented.  This would represent a significant step towards reducing the nation’s global warming pollution 35 percent by 2020, which scientists say is necessary to avert the worst impacts of global warming.

 “If we continue with business as usual - dirty energy and highways to nowhere - we will be laying the groundwork for decades of increased global warming pollution,” said Anderson. “Green infrastructure means more and better jobs now, as well as less global warming pollution, fewer asthma attacks from air pollution, more clean lakes and rivers for drinking water, swimming and fishing, and more secure energy in the long term,” added Anderson.

 While Washington has many ready-to-go projects in clean energy, every part of the country has the opportunity to benefit from a green economic recovery and transition to a new energy economy, according to the group.  For example, the Community Solar project could place solar cells on rooftops and provide 100 kilowatts of power for homes in eastern and central Washington.  Upgrades to energy efficient ventilation and lighting systems in public buildings such as Seattle City Hall could create hundreds of new family-wage jobs while also saving on future operating costs.

 Environment Washington’s proposals have the potential to meet the bulk of President-elect Obama’s goal of creating or sustaining nearly 3 million jobs and will help the president-elect fulfill his promise to reduce the nation’s oil dependence, according to the analysis. 

 Among the recommendations in the report are weatherizing U.S. homes and businesses, training workers for new, clean energy industries, and increasing public transportation capacity to meet rapidly growing demand.  The complete report can be found at www.environmentwashington.org.

 Environment Washington warns that Big Oil, King Coal, the road-builders and other polluting interests want to dominate the economic recovery program. “We are calling on the new Congress to keep it clean and pass a green recovery plan for a cleaner safer stronger America,” concluded Anderson.

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 Environment Washington is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy group working for clean air, clean water and open spaces.

Clean-Energy-Bright-Future.pdf