On the first day of the U.S. Senate’s summer recess, community leaders and activists from 1Sky and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network hosted a “Beach Party” in front of Senator Webb’s office to demand support for a comprehensive clean energy jobs bill in the U.S. Senate.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 10, 2009 

—Photos from the beach party—
1Sky and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network Gather to Support Clean Energy Jobs Bill
Activists hold “Beach Parties” to Press Senator Webb for support

RICHMOND, August 10, 2009-On the first day of the U.S. Senate’s summer recess, community leaders and activists from 1Sky and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network hosted a “Beach Party” in front of Senator Webb’s office to demand support for a comprehensive clean energy jobs bill in the U.S. Senate.

“By passing a comprehensive clean energy jobs bill, Senator Webb can help steer us toward a renewable energy future and away from the dirty fuels of the past,” said Chelsea Harnish with the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “On this first day of Senator Webb’s summer vacation, we thought a beach party was appropriate – it’s a fun way to let him know that Virginians demand a clean energy future.”

The beach partiers highlighted that a comprehensive climate bill will maximize clean energy jobs for America. The bill would also take serious steps towards cutting global warming pollution as soon as possible and transitioning America away from the dirty coal and big oil fuels of the past and toward the clean energy of the future.

“At this defining moment we know that inaction is not an option,” said Gillian Caldwell, Campaign Director of 1Sky. “Senator Webb must not listen to the forces of the failed status quo – Big Oil and Dirty Coal – who demand that the Senate sacrifice our future by saying no to clean, safe sources of energy that never run out.”

After the House passed climate legislation in June, several committees in the U.S. Senate have held hearings dedicated to a clean energy jobs bill. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has set a deadline of September 28 for all committees to set their final drafts of the bill. A final version of the bill is then expected to be put together.

1Sky is a collaborative national campaign for strong federal action to tackle global climate change and invest in building the clean energy economy of the future. As one of the largest national campaigns in the country, 1Sky combines the force of over 425 allied organizations, 166,000 committed climate advocates, 1,842 volunteer Climate Precinct Captains covering more than 390 congressional districts in 50 states, and a team of 40 including 28 organizers in 19 states working to mobilize constituent support.

For more information on 1Sky contact Alex Posorske at (301) 270-4550 x230 or alex@1sky.org

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