FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rep. Kesha Ram, 881-4433
February 2, 2010
In light of a meeting at the White House tomorrow regarding energy and climate issues to which Governor Douglas has been invited as part of a select group of governors, a nonpartisan letter was circulated among state legislators today urging him to support comprehensive federal clean energy jobs legislation [see attached letter].
The effort to disseminate this letter was spearheaded by Reps. Kesha Ram (D-Burlington) and Joseph Baker (R-West Rutland), with both taking the lead as signatories and making announcements in their respective caucuses.
“It is vital that Vermont be ahead of the curve in attracting and promoting the industries that will create clean energy jobs, as these job sectors are growing at a rate 250 percent faster than the rest of the economy. The 64 signatures to this letter demonstrate that Vermont legislators of all political persuasions agree on this,” said Rep. Ram. “Governor Douglas has the opportunity to solidify what we hope will be an ongoing partnership with the White House and Congress in ensuring that our state and federal leadership are working together to continue building a green, clean energy-based economy in Vermont.”
Rep. Ram was alerted to the governor’s imminent trip as part of her role as the Vermont legislative lead in the national Coalition of Legislators for Energy Action Now (CLEAN), an organization of state legislators from across the country communicating regularly with the White House and seeking strong federal action on creating clean energy jobs and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. CLEAN has gathered 1201 signatures from state legislators nationally to urge Congress to enact strong clean energy jobs and climate legislation, including 47 Vermont legislators [see attached document].
Signatories to the letter include the chairs of both House and Senate Natural Resources Committees, Rep. Tony Klein and Sen. Virginia Lyons. They also include Republican Vice Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee Rep. Joseph Krawczyk, House Majority Leader Rep. Floyd Nease, Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Lucy Leriche, and Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Sandy Haas.
“The Green Mountains are on the cusp of becoming greener. This is a nonpartisan letter to encourage Washington to look at our example for the rest of the country,” said Rep. Baker.
