For Immediate Release
January 15, 2009

Contact: Lisa Swann
202 518-0044 ext. 14
202 368-5033

Greening Stimulus Bill Key to Long-Term Health of Environment, Economy

Congress Should Meet Americans Halfway

(Washington, DC) – Earth Day Network today urged Congress to focus first on funding green investments in the comprehensive stimulus package, citing the opportunity to create a new, green economy that will stimulate the creation of green jobs and stem global warming. Green renovation and construction of our nation’s public schools and public buildings, investments in renewable energy and renewable transportation, plus supporting technical jobs will go a long way toward building a new economic future based on sustainability.

“We have to depart from the inefficient and polluting economic model, the old way of doing business where we fund only short-term projects and jobs and don’t consider our economic and environmental future,” said Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network. “We have the opportunity to create a sustainable future for our children, and a new economy that is based not on fossil fuels but rather on green entrepreneurship, clean technology and green investments.”

“Simply funding ‘shovel-ready’ projects for roads and bridges will lead us nowhere - unless we first start building bridges between our economic, climate and education concerns. We need a road to a sustainable, green economy, not a dead end,” said Rogers.

The US Conference of Mayors recently released a comprehensive green jobs report that forecasts 4.2 million green jobs from investments in renewable energy, green retrofitting of buildings, and green transportation over the next 20 years, many of which are ready to go.

In light of present economic distress, green jobs are expected to be a major topic at the Conference of Mayors meeting this week in Washington. The renewable energy and energy efficiency industries created 8.5 million jobs in 2006, generating nearly $970 billion in revenue.

“America’s mayors agree that investing in a green future will bring the type of job growth we need,” said Rogers, who will testify before the US Conference of Mayors on Saturday. “We need President Obama’s firm commitment to a green, renewable future for our children and the green jobs that will follow. Americans have shown a willingness to embrace a new energy future and we need to meet them halfway.”

A new study from Yale found that many Americans are ready, willing and able to save energy at home and when they travel. The study also showed that the American people will be a willing partner if there is a national strategy to conserve energy and invest in energy efficiency.

Earth Day Network and its 15,000 partner groups are calling for a firm commitment to focus on extensive funding in the stimulus package for green infrastructure -- starting with implementing the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act.

The bill, sponsored by Congressman Ben Chandler (D-KY), passed with wide bipartisan support twice last year, and calls for the majority of nearly $7 billion to go towards repairing and renovating America’s schools up to a green building certification standard.

“Greening and repairing America’s schools would create 300,000 jobs in the construction industry, and help stimulate the growth of green technology and energy efficiency,” said Rogers. “Moreover, an investment in educational services will generate significantly more jobs – over 23 jobs per $1 million invested – than spending in any other public infrastructure sector.”

Currently, Obama’s recovery package calls for $14 billion to help states build and renovate schools to make them healthier, more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. However the provision falls short; it only requires 25 percent of the funds for modernization, renovation, and repairs to go into projects that are verified by an energy certification program such as LEED for Schools. Earth Day Network and its supporters, however, want to see much more of these funds allocated to green-certified schools.

“I am so proud the green education bill is going to be included in the stimulus package,” Chandler said. “This legislation creates jobs, protects the environment, grows the green technology industry, and makes a long-term investment in our economy through our children. With this program, not only will many of the K-12 schools around the country become more energy efficient, but we are sending a strong message about America’s commitment to our young people and combating climate change.”

About Earth Day Network

Earth Day Network, www.earthday.net, grew out of the original Earth Day in 1970. The non-profit organization seeks to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. It pursues these goals through education, politics, and consumer activism. Earth Day Network has a global reach with a network of more than 15,000 partners and organizations in 174 countries. More than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the largest secular civic event in the world.

The 40th Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22, 2009.