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EARTH DAY NETWORK’S STATEMENT ON CLEAN ENERGY JOBS AND OIL COMPANY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
July 27, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Swann
202-518-0044, ext. 14
Earth Day Network’s Statement on Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act
Earth Day Network supports the recently proposed legislation that removes the liability cap for oil spills and authorizes a HOMESTAR green jobs program. Earth Day Network prefers that this modest package also include a Renewable Energy Standard that mandates renewable energy growth.
Nonetheless, this “low hanging political fruit” is no substitute for a comprehensive climate and clean energy bill. Earth Day Network, on behalf of its more than 900,000 members, remains disappointed that the Senate and the Obama Administration have not demonstrated the leadership necessary to address the most compelling issue of our time: climate change and America’s addiction to oil.
It is time to put aside the ongoing battle between Republicans and Democrats. We can’t blame each other, or to fall subject to special interest groups. It is time for a proactive and real discussion to protect the nation’s communities and shift to renewable energy resources and a green economy.
“Senators boast about continued clean up efforts from Deepwater Horizon and provide energy incentives for corporations, but they fail to combat human negligence on man’s natural resources. The nation cannot continue to take a reactive approach to the climate crisis. We must take proactive steps to prevent further damage to the planet while also creating more opportunities for a green economy,” said Earth Day Network President Kathleen Rogers. “Congress must push for legislation that ends our economy’s dependence on energy sources that burden our people and environment.”
Only comprehensive climate legislation will provide the necessary infrastructure to shift to clean energy, provide jobs and sustainable domestic economic growth while increasing national security and decreasing the costly human impact on climate change. It also ensures that the United States can compete with China in the clean energy industry and facilitate an international climate treaty.
About Earth Day Network
Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment. Our mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable environment. We pursue our mission through a combination of education, public policy, and consumer activism campaigns.
Our campaign and programs are predicated on the belief that an educated, energized population will take action to secure a healthy future for itself and its children. Earth Day Network has a global reach with a network of more than 20,000 partners and organizations in 190 countries. Earth Day Network is a 501(c)3 organization located in Washington, D.C.
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