Senator Kerry Joins with Business Leaders and National Security Experts to Discuss the Need to Secure America's Energy Future
Newly Released Energy and Climate Framework Will Jumpstart National Debate in Wake of Oil Catastrophe in Gulf
NORTH CAROLINA – Today, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) held a telepress conference with state reporters to discuss the urgent need to complete a comprehensive climate and clean energy policy this year that will put America back in control of its energy future. The event comes on the heels of legislative language released yesterday by Senators Kerry and Lieberman. John Rowe, Chairman and CEO of Exelon Corporation, David Vieau, President and CEO of A123 Systems, and retired 3-star Lt. Gen. Norm Seip joined the Senators to highlight the growing momentum behind action to address climate and energy legislation this year. A recording of the news events will be available on the internet as of 2:00 p.m. EDT/11:00 a.m. PDT on May 13, 2010 at http://216.250.243.12/KLbriefingcall.mp3.
North Carolina business leaders, veterans, and many others in the state are voicing support for urgent action on this issue, echoing the need for comprehensive legislation to help jumpstart the state’s economic recovery and provide cleaner, safer energy sources that are made in America and work for America.
The recent Gulf Coast tragedy serves as a reminder that we need to accelerate our transition to a clean energy economy. President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have an opportunity to demonstrate bold leadership by passing a comprehensive plan that creates millions of new jobs in a clean energy economy, and reduces carbon emissions.
"The business community in North Carolina has long supported clean energy policies,” said Scott Clark, Chief Strategy Officer of SolTherm. “The American Power Act sets our state and the nation on a course for energy independence, while significantly impacting our opportunity for economic resurgence through creating local clean energy jobs. We urge the senate to advance this opportunity.”
Public support for comprehensive clean energy legislation remains strong. According to a new national poll by Benenson Strategy Group, 61 percent of 2010 voters support a bill that limits pollution, invests in domestic energy sources, and encourages companies to develop clean energy. There is also wide support for action among business, national security, environmental, labor, faith-based and veterans’ organizations. This broad coalition believes that the proposal signifies a major step forward in passing meaningful climate and energy policies, and that now is the time for the Senate to act.
"Yesterday's announcement is an important step towards securing America with clean energy," said Mark Turner, U.S. Navy veteran from Raleigh, NC. "The more quickly the US Senate acts, the less of our money that ends up in the hands of terrorist organizations and rogue states like Iran. As the Defense Department has said, climate change and oil dependence are threats to our security. The time for Senate action is now and, as a veteran, I'm asking Senators Hagan and Burr to join me in supporting passage of comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation this year."
These leaders in the state are available for comment. If you are interested in contacting North Carolina business leaders, please contact Michael Meehan, 202-280-6770 or mm@BlueLineSC.com. To contact North Carolina veterans, please contact David Solimini, 757-876-0295.
About We Can Lead
The We Can Lead campaign is sponsored by the Clean Economy Network and Ceres’ Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP). For more on We Can Lead, visit www.wecanlead.org or follow us on twitter @wecanlead
The Clean Economy Network, Inc. (CEN) is the largest national membership-based networking, educational, and advocacy organization shaping a new economy based on clean technology and innovation. Our members are professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers who connect to each other, learn information relevant to business and professional growth, and influence public policies that impact the clean economy.
Ceres is the largest coalition of investors, environmental and public interest organizations in North America. Ceres launched the BICEP coalition, whose members include Levi Strauss & Co., Nike, Starbucks, Best Buy Co., Inc., Target Corp., Sun Microsystems, The Timberland Company, Aspen Skiing Company, Clif Bar & Company, eBay, Gap Inc., Jones Lang LaSalle, The North Face, Seventh Generation, Ben and Jerry’s, Eileen Fisher, Stonyfield Farm Inc., and Symantec.
