Campus Progress Statement on American Power Act: Young People Deserve Bolder Support for Clean Energ
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2010
Contact: Katie Andriulli
(202) 481-8238 or kandriulli@americanprogress.org
Campus Progress Statement on American Power Act: Young People Deserve Bolder Support for Clean Energy from the U.S. Senate
WASHINGTON, DC — Statement of Tommaso Nicholas Boggia, advocacy associate, Campus Progress (the youth division of the Center for American Progress), on the release of the Kerry-Lieberman climate bill:
“While Campus Progress commends Senators Kerry and Lieberman for prioritizing climate legislation this year, the bill in its current form fails to deliver on what young people are seeking: an economy powered by the clean, renewable energy needed for the 21st century. The oil spill currently consuming the Gulf makes it clear that the members of Congress who refuse to break ties with dirty and dangerous industries of the past do so to the detriment of us all. This is an urgent challenge that requires members of Congress to muster the ingenuity, vision and courage necessary to succeed.
The American Power Act, despite its laudable goals and reforms, does not do enough to invest in the renewable energy and conservation that are needed to create jobs, reduce our dependence on dirty energy, and make our air cleaner. Truly bold climate legislation must do the following:
1. Reduce energy bills by incentivizing and promoting energy efficiency.
2. Mandate the creation of a national strategy for the rapid deployment of renewable energy.
3. Invest in international forest preservation and adaptation to meet our obligations to the global community.
4. Ensure a just transition for workers in fossil fuel extraction and refining industries.
The bill presented yesterday needs major improvements, and Campus Progress looks forward to working with Senators from both parties to make sure the bill advances a national strategy that revitalizes our economy, strengthens our national security, and reduces the looming threat of the climate crisis.”
For more information, or to speak to a Campus Progress climate spokesperson, please contact Katie Andriulli at 202-481-8238 / kandriulli@americanprogress.org.
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Campus Progress is the youth division of the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan, nonprofit progressive organization. Through programs in activism, journalism, and events, Campus Progress helps young people make their voices heard now on issues that matter, and works with young leaders and organizations nationwide to build a strong, united progressive movement that can bring long-term positive change. Campus Progress runs a daily web magazine, CampusProgress.org; supports student publications on 50 campuses; supports local and national youth issue campaigns; and has held over 700 events and film screenings. For more information, please visit Campusprogress.org.
