Clean energy brings opportunities

"Clean energy brings opportunitiesThe challenge is the economy; the opportunity is clean energy. More and
more Americans realize the challenges we face are connected.Our overreliance on fossil fuels is the leading source of global warming
emissions, pollutes our air and water, exposes consumers to the price
spikes of a global fuel market, and threatens our national security. We
need to repower America by shifting to 100 percent homegrown, clean
electricity, cut our dependence on oil in half, and dramatically cut global
warming pollution — moves that will create millions of new green jobs and
help rebuild our economy on a sound foundation.President Obama has in two short months set the nation in a new direction
on these issues. But the president needs Congress to deliver in order to
make his vision a reality.Environment America applauds Obama, Congressman Baron Hill, Sen. Evan Bayh
and their colleagues for passing the economic recovery plan last month. The
plan invests more than $80 billion in clean energy and public transit — an
important down-payment toward more fundamental change.The next step is to pass comprehensive legislation to accelerate the
transition to a clean, renewable energy economy and address climate change
— legislation that will work for Indiana.Indiana relies on manufacturing jobs for about a quarter of its economy,
and Hoosiers are hurting as that industry flags. But our manufacturing
resources and skills set the state up to succeed in a new energy economy:
Even during this recession, the renewable energy business is growing and
that means it's hiring. For example, a Bloomington brake manufacturer,
traditionally producing parts for trucks and heavy mining equipment, is now
making brakes to hold wind turbines steady in the most powerful winds.
Carlisle Industrial Brake looks to wind to become the fastest-growing
sector of their business and expects to create and maintain jobs.And that's just the beginning: The American Wind Energy Association
estimates that Indiana could meet a 25 percent by 2025 renewable
electricity standard by developing less than a quarter of its full wind
potential. We also receive enough sunshine for families to supply household
power from a home solar installation.Obama's budget is an important step. His proposed budget assumes the
revenue from reducing global warming emissions and requiring polluters to
pay, and it dedicates a portion of this revenue to building a clean energy
economy. It would also help protect our health by reinstating a fee to
clean up the nation's worst toxic waste sites and fund upgrades to our
drinking water and sewage treatment infrastructure. This budget lays the
groundwork for future action on clean energy and climate change, including
legislation expected in Congress by Memorial Day.America is at a crossroads on energy. We can help Obama put millions of
Americans to work building a clean energy future, or stay the course with
oil companies and other polluters that favor the status quo. We look
forward to working with the president, Hill and Bayh to realize our shared
vision of a clean energy economy.To view the original article please click hereFor the latest in clean energy jobs please click here"