Washington, DC – America can reduce global warming pollution by nearly 10 percent annually, replace the power equivalent of 170 coal fired power plants, and create or sustain more than 3 million jobs by making investment in clean energy and transportation a cornerstone of our economic recovery plan, according to a report by Environment Massachusetts.
“Our nation can no longer afford the toll dirty energy is exacting on our environment and economy,” said Winston Vaughan, Field Organizer at Environment Massachusetts. “Clean energy can protect our environment and rev our economic engine to generate a brighter future for Massachusetts.”
Environment Massachusetts’ report, Clean Energy, Bright Future, estimates the environmental benefits of $150 billion in investments in clean energy such as wind and solar power and green infrastructure such as public transit. These investments will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the leading cause of global warming, by 670 million tons per year when fully implemented.
This would represent a significant step towards reducing the nation’s global warming pollution by what scientists say is necessary to avert the worst impacts of global warming.
“If we continue with business as usual – dirty energy and highways to nowhere – we will be laying the groundwork for decades of increased global warming pollution,” said Vaughan. “Green infrastructure means more and better jobs now, as well as less global warming pollution, fewer asthma attacks from air pollution, more clean lakes and rivers for drinking water, swimming and fishing, and more secure energy in the long term,” added Vaughan.
While investing in a clean energy economy would improve the environment and create jobs here in Massachusetts, every part of the country has the opportunity to benefit from a green economic recovery and transition to a new energy economy, according to the group.
Examples of clean investment in Massachusetts include expansion of the T in Boston, improvements to commuter rail lines across the state including the Fitchburg line and clean energy investment in communities including Boston, Brockton and Chicopee.
“Whether it’s modernizing our schools, rebuilding affordable housing, or weatherizing homes, these are all priority investments that will provide immediate economic stimulus for our regional economy,” said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.
“Our proposed clean energy and green infrastructure investments also present a unique opportunity to jumpstart our green economy and create good paying green jobs for local residents.”
Environment Massachusetts’ proposals have the potential to meet the bulk of President-elect Obama’s goal of creating or sustaining nearly 3 million jobs and will help the president-elect fulfill his promise to reduce the nation’s oil dependence, according to the analysis.
Among the recommendations in the report are weatherizing U.S. homes and businesses, training workers for new, clean energy industries, and increasing public transportation capacity to meet rapidly growing demand.
The complete report can be found at www.EnvironmentMassachusetts.org.
Environment Massachusetts warns that Big Oil, King Coal, the road-builders and other polluting interests want to dominate the economic recovery program.
“We are calling on Massachusetts’ Congressional delegation, and the rest of the new Congress, to keep it clean and pass a green recovery plan for a cleaner safer stronger America,” concluded Vaughan.
