Environmental, Minority Groups Link in Green Initiative

(Washington, DC) Two dozen leading environmental and minority groups are urging the White House and Congress to look ahead to a long-term economic stimulus package that would use targeted investments in energy efficiency and mass transit.
The coalition also wants a "Clean Energy Corps" to put hundreds of thousands of Americans to work while strengthening the economy, accelerating towards energy independence, and easing the harm of global warming.
The list of groups includes such apparently diverse groups as MoveOn and the Hip Hop Coalition. Their statements are part of an open letter sent to the White house and the leaders of each congressional caucus.
In addition to endorsing short-term steps as increased spending on means-targeted or unemployment-targeted programs (e.g., unemployment insurance, food stamps, and LIHEAP), the groups also want to "promote a clean energy economy that provides opportunities for all Americans, including the poor and working class.
Among the initiatives:
- Funding a public Clean Energy Corps that offers work and service opportunities to the young and poor to combat climate change through energy efficiency and weatherization projects;
- Expanded and immediate funding of the recent Green Jobs Act (GJA), Title X of the EISA;
- Directing infrastructure investments toward transit, mixed use dense development, walkable communities, and overall reductions in vehicle miles traveled and our nation's carbon footprint; and
- Investing in improving the electrical grid to be 'smarter' in end-use efficiency and allowing greater use of distributed renewable energy generation.
The joint statement was signed by 1Sky; Breakthrough Institute; Center for Neighborhood Technology; Center for State Innovation; Climate Crisis Coalition; Climate Protection Campaign; Climate Solutions; ColorOfChange.Org; The Corps Network; Earth Day Network; EcoAmerica; Ella Baker Center for Human Rights; Energize America; Green for All; Green House Network; Hip Hop Caucus; Innovations in Civic Participation; Kyoto USA; MoveOn.Org Political Action; Solve Climate; Step It Up!; Sustainable South Bronx; and U.S. Climate Emergency Council.

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