Apollo Alliance, Clean Energy Updates

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Apollo Alliance, Clean Energy Updates
By Keith Schneider
Communications Director
Apollo Alliance

This week, as the incoming administration and Congressional leaders proposed an $825 billion economic stimulus package, a 10-person delegation of labor, environmental, and business leaders from the Apollo Alliance also was in Washington to make the case for two primary legislative outcomes:

1.   Ensuring that the stimulus include substantial investments in clean energy development and green-collar job growth.
2.   Alerting the nation's top lawmakers that the Apollo Alliance strongly supports "cap and invest" legislation to reduce carbon emissions and strategically build the new clean energy economy.
The Alliance has described both goals in the Apollo Economic Recovery Act, our quick-start stimulus proposal made public last month, and in The New Apollo Program, a comprehensive economic investment strategy to build America's 21st century clean energy economy and dramatically cut energy bills for families and businesses. Both proposals are influencing legislative discussion in Washington about how to scale up and speed the economic transition to producing cleaner sources and using energy more efficiently.
Right Delegation, Right Place
This was, of course, another extraordinary week in Washington. Next Tuesday is Barack Obama's inauguration. The first wave of visitors, part of the huge crowd expected that day, is arriving in Washington. Lawmakers of both parties, meanwhile, were shaping a first-of-its-kind economic stimulus that included $126 billion in clean energy investments over the next two years.
The Apollo delegation performed its work in the midst of this excitement and debate. From all accounts from our colleagues, the group was received enthusiastically by senior lawmakers. And for good reason.
The delegation, led by Apollo Alliance Chairman Phil Angelides displayed the breadth and depth of support for the clean energy transformation, as well as the considerable brawn that the organization has developed since its founding five years ago.
The delegation included four Apollo board members - Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers of America, Terry O'Sullivan, president of the Laborers' International Union of America, Bob Borosage, co-director of Campaign For America's Future, and Michael Peck, principal and founder of MAPA, Inc., a clean energy consulting group. Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, and James K. Gailbraith, noted author and professor of government at the University of Texas were part of the delegation. Kate Gordon, the Apollo Alliance co-director, Paul Blank, our strategic advisor, and Nikki Paschal, our press officer, also participated.
Stimulus Consistent With Apollo Proposals
When it comes to clean energy development, it's fair to say that never has more been expected of an incoming president. The economic stimulus package includes $11 billion to modernize the electric grid, $8 billion in renewable energy loan guarantees, $10 billion for transit construction, a goal of doubling production of wind, solar and other renewable sources of power, and the near-term creation of 3 million jobs, many of them in the clean energy sector. Similar levels of funding are proposed to make government buildings, homes, and factories more energy efficient.
The Apollo delegation told lawmakers that spending on that scale for clean energy development is a good start, but don't stop there. Making the clean energy transition provides economic relief and a reasoned development strategy for long-term recovery.
The incoming administration and prominent Congressional leaders welcomed that message and sought the Alliance's support in achieving both goals. The delegation's packed itinerary for the two days it spent in Washington included meetings with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Carol Browner, the assistant to the president for energy and climate change.
The delegation also spoke with California Senator Barbara Boxer, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman, and Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, who last month co-sponsored the Green Jobs and Infrastructure Act of 2008 to strengthen the capacity of American manufacturers to build the tools of the new clean energy economy, and provide nearly 1 million family-supporting jobs.
On the House side, the delegation met with Representative Henry Waxman, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Representative Jay Inslee of Washington, a clean energy expert who asked eight other House members to join him at the meeting.
Do Now While Oil Prices Are Moderate
Let's just put it this way. The Apollo Alliance's ideas about the value of clean energy development to job growth and prosperity are being embraced in Washington. Lawmakers, in particular, heeded Dr. Gailbraith's message that Congress not be swayed by the current low price of oil and gas. Major investments in clean energy are needed now before oil prices soar again - as they will - and the economy takes another big hit.
We'd like to thank all of the House and Senate lawmakers who invited the Apollo delegation to make its case and share ideas. And many thanks to Phil Angelides, the board members, partners, and Apollo staff for making the trip and devoting their time and intelligence to such an uncommon and productive trip.
The Energy Movement is a must to put poor, working, blue-collar and white-collar people back to work in Ohio.

Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Green Party
Ohio Green Party

www.ohiogreens.org
www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/