Support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Knoxville, Tenn. (January 28, 2009) — Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) urges members of Congress from the Southeast to support the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.” This legislation, expected to come before the U.S. House of Representatives this week, proposes more than $65 billion in investments for renewable energy development, state and local energy efficiency programs and assistance with energy conservation for low-income families.
SACE believes strongly that clean energy investments will reduce air pollution and global warming emissions, create jobs in the Southeast and help improve our energy security. The Southeast is rich in renewable resources, but abundant opportunities throughout the region are consistently overlooked. Renewable energy businesses can put new employees to work installing solar panels, building wind turbines and retrofitting homes with energy saving equipment. The Southeast is tremendously inefficient in the production and use of energy, and progressive investments in energy efficiency can help promote financial security for families and businesses.
We urge Congress to prioritize investments that will reduce our fuel consumption and mobilize alternative forms of transportation. This important Reinvestment Act also funnels needed funding into our nation’s transportation infrastructure. Drivers in the Southeast spend more than the average consumer for gasoline, but investments in mass transit and alternative transportation can help bring costs down, while revitalizing our economy.
The U.S. does not have to choose between a healthy environment and a stable economy. Responsible energy investment can help insure that our public investments are strategically designed to prioritize renewable energy and energy efficiency opportunities that support a healthy economy. # # #