Governor Rendell is on the Repower Wall

Governor Ed Rendell recently recorded a video for the Repower Wall, a project to collect voices across the country in support of clean energy and climate protection.

In the governor’s words, “Climate change threatens virtually every aspect of our lives. America needs smart effective policies that reduce global warming pollution, put our people back to work and make us less vulnerable to foreign nations for our energy needs. Up till now, states like Pennsylvania have been leading the way... Our efforts to reduce greenhouse gases will cut our carbon emissions to 5 percent below year 2000 levels....If America gets real about climate change and developing more renewables, we can create 1.7 million green collar jobs, about 70,000 of which will be here in Pennsylvania.

“If we miss this opportunity we’ll be setting America back. And instead of leading the world, we’ll be following nations like China and India and we’ll be buying clean technologies from their companies, not ours. And unless we curb our addiction to oil, we’ll just continue sending billions of dollars to the Middle East every year. That’s not a way to prosperity or national security. Americans have the know-how to become energy independent. Our leaders just need the political will and courage to unleash those talents. America’s global competitiveness and ability to withstand future economic downturns depend on our willingness to take bold steps to address these issues. The time to act is now because we can’t afford to sit back and wait. Otherwise, this opportunity is going to pass us by.”

As scientists and world leaders meet in Copenhagen, Repower Pennsylvania is continuing to build the political will and broad support for clean energy and climate protection action that the Governor talked about in his message. It’s also worth mentioning that Governor Rendell is the first governor of any state to add his voice to this project that now boasts over 30,000 messages to our leaders in Washington in support of comprehensive energy and climate reform.

Governor Rendell’s video is available at: http://www.repoweramerica.org/wall/#/view/28615

You can also view the Governor's message right here:

Pittsburgh to Senators Specter and Casey: Support Clean Energy Jobs

For Immediate Release: December 1, 2009
Contact: Benjamin Freed, Repower Pennsylvania, 917-903-3031, benjamin.freed@climateprotect.org
Randy Francisco, Sierra Club, 412-802-6161, randy.francisco@sierraclub.org

PITTSBURGH, PA — Continuing its partnership with Repower America, the Sierra Club and the Blue-Green Alliance, the Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday declared its support for swift and comprehensive clean energy and climate federal legislation. In a unanimous resolution, the City Council urged the passage of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act in the U.S. Senate and called on Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey to be strong advocates for its passage.

“Pittsburgh, with its strong industrial base, built the economy of the 20th century, and if the Senate takes action, we will have the opportunity to create the clean energy economy of the 21st century,” said Councilmember Bill Peduto. “This resolution will send the message to Senators Casey and Specter that our city is ready to lead the way in rebuilding our economy with 78,000 jobs for Pennsylvania, restoring our climate by reducing carbon emissions and becoming energy independent by ending our harmful dependence on foreign oil.”

Earlier this year, the Pittsburgh City Council declared August 3 “Repower America Day.” Since opening its doors in the Lawrenceville neighborhood, Repower Pennsylvania has educated and engaged thousands of Pittsburgh residents about solutions to the climate crisis that can create millions of new jobs, hasten our economic recovery, and strengthen our national security. Repower Pennsylvania partnered with the Blue Green Alliance in September for a clean energy jobs rally in Pittsburgh that drew thousands.

“This resolution is a bold step forward in the movement for clean energy and climate protection,” said Repower Pennsylvania Director Michael Fedor. “The City of Pittsburgh is recognizing its opportunity to lead Pennsylvania and the United States in the creation of a new clean energy economy that will put us back to work, protect our climate for future generations, and make us safer and more secure. I hope other cities around Pennsylvania follow Pittsburgh’s example and tell Senators Casey and Specter to support clean energy jobs that will put America back in control of its economic and energy future.”