For Immediate Release: January 28, 2009
Contact: David Willett, 202-675-6698
House Recovery Package Prioritizes Clean Energy
Sierra Club Praises Passage of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Washington, DC: Sierra Club today praised the House of Representatives for passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 -- a bill that recognizes the vital role clean energy can play in driving economic recovery. The bill makes an important down payment on solutions that will transform America's economy and lead to a clean energy future that will benefit generations to come.
"President Obama and the House have laid out a bold plan for stimulating our struggling economy by investing in clean energy technologies and green jobs," said Melinda Pierce, Sierra Club’s Deputy Director of National Campaigns. "These initiatives are a win-win for a strong economy and a healthier environment. By focusing on critical investments in repair and modernization of infrastructure, and boosting production of renewable energy, they will create good jobs here in America and reduce our dependence on dirtier energy sources like oil and coal."
The package includes approximately $100 billion in direct spending and incentives for clean energy, the retrofitting of public buildings and public housing, low and moderate-income home weatherization, clean water and environmental restoration projects, energy efficiency, smart grid, and mass transit projects.
The Sierra Club applauded the House for approving an amendment today adding an additional $3 billion in funding for public transit. With this amendment, bill now invests over $14 billion in transit, creating thousands of new good jobs building critical green infrastructure.
"The House has now set a high bar and as this bill moves to the Senate, it is vitally important that we see even more of these kinds of improvements. Focus must remain on investing in newer, cleaner, more efficient technology and not wasting money on costly, business-as-usual approaches like new coal plants or 'highways to nowhere,'" said Pierce.
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