Local small-business owners and residents of Prince George’s County hosted a tour of area clean energy businesses today to drive home the point that investment in a clean energy economy will have quick economic benefits and create jobs here at home. Speakers pointed to the massive potential for expansion of these businesses and further job creation, and encouraged Congresswoman Edwards and House Majority Leader Hoyer to continue efforts to pass a strong clean energy jobs bill. In the past month, over 15,000 small business leaders have signed a pledge to support a clean energy economy.

Call on Congress to Pass Strong Clean Energy Jobs Bill to Jump-Start Job Creation in Prince George’s County

HYATTSVILLE, May 28, 2009-Local small-business owners and residents of Prince George’s County hosted a tour of area clean energy businesses today to drive home the point that investment in a clean energy economy will have quick economic benefits and create jobs here at home. Speakers pointed to the massive potential for expansion of these businesses and further job creation, and encouraged Congresswoman Edwards and House Majority Leader Hoyer to continue efforts to pass a strong clean energy jobs bill. In the past month, over 15,000 small business leaders have signed a pledge to support a clean energy economy.

“The Green Economy is here today,” said Ellen McBarnette, owner of Urban Solar Solutions in Hyattsville. “There are green jobs being filled in Prince Georges County, right now, but the small businesses that are creating these jobs need direct and committed support to continue in this economic climate.”

The clean energy jobs bill, called the American Clean Energy and Security Act, is expected to come to a vote in the House of Representatives this summer. If strengthened, the bill could create high-paying jobs here in Prince George’s County, reduce electricity and heating costs for local households, and keep America competitive in the global economy, the speakers argued.

One clean energy business that sells wind power to residential and commercial customers is already offering a way for Marylanders to go green and reap economic benefits. A representative from Clean Currents announced that Maryland Pepco and BGE customers can now sign up for wind power at rates that are below Pepco’s and BGE’s summer rates.

“Protecting the environment has never been easier,” said Hilleary Topercer of Clean Currents. “People can save money while buying wind power. All you need is your utility account number and you can sign up for wind power.”

Maryland State Delegate Aisha Braveboy joined the business leaders to show her support for clean energy and green jobs. The press conference took place outside Urban Solar Solutions, a vendor of energy-saving products.

After providing an overview of the local clean energy economy, business leaders and community members took a tour of Engaged University in Riverdale. The University has a working bio-diesel facility, an energy-saving community garden and a local bike co-op. Participants were able to see how this unique educational facility engages local communities to make them more sustainable.

“Clean energy is often touted as the job creating engine of the future, but good-paying clean-energy jobs already exist right here in Maryland, and the potential for growth is enormous,” said Keith Harrington. “Business leaders, community members, and elected officials gathered together today to encourage our leaders in Congress to ensure a future full of clean-energy jobs in Prince George’s County by voting to pass a strengthened “American Clean Energy and Security Act.”

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These meetings are part of a national organizing campaign to support a strong clean energy jobs bill, Power Up America. To learn more about the campaign, visit www.moveon.org.

ABOUT THE SPONSORS

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) is the first grassroots, nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to fighting global warming in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Our mission is to educate and mobilize citizens of this region in a way that fosters a rapid societal switch to clean energy and energy-efficient products, thus joining similar efforts worldwide to halt the dangerous trend of global warming.

MoveOn.org Political Action is a political action committee powered by 5 million progressive Americans. We believe in the power of small donors and grassroots action to elect progressive leaders to office and to advance a progressive agenda. We do not accept any donations over $5,000, and the average donation to MoveOn.org Political Action is under $100.