Duluth, MN – America can reduce global warming pollution by nearly 10 percent annually, replace the power equivalent of 170 coal fired power plants, and create or sustain more than 3 million jobs by making investment in clean energy and transportation a cornerstone of our economic recovery plan, according to a report by Environment Minnesota.
“Our nation can no longer afford the toll dirty energy is exacting on our environment and economy,” said Samantha Chadwick, Environmental Associate at Environment Minnesota. “Clean energy can protect our environment and rev our economic engine to generate a brighter future for Minnesota.” Chadwick was joined by Duluth Mayor Don Ness, who has prioritized investments in transit and in energy efficiency of public buildings as vital to any economic stimulus package.
Environment Minnesota’s report, Clean Energy, Bright Future, estimates the environmental benefits of $142 billion in investments in clean energy such as wind and solar power and green infrastructure such as public transit. These investments will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the leading cause of global warming, by 670 million tons per year when fully implemented. This would represent a significant step towards reducing the nation’s global warming pollution by what scientists say is necessary to avert the worst impacts of global warming.
“If we continue with business as usual − dirty energy and highways to nowhere − we will be laying the groundwork for decades of increased global warming pollution,” said Chadwick. “Green infrastructure means more and better jobs now, as well as less global warming pollution, fewer asthma attacks from air pollution, more clean lakes and rivers for drinking water, swimming and fishing, and more secure energy in the long term,” added Chadwick.
While the Midwest’s wind and solar resources could power the entire United States, every part of the country has the opportunity to benefit from a green economic recovery and transition to a new energy economy, according to the group. For example, a downtown rail trolley in Duluth would provide a transportation alternative to residents, commuters, and visitors. The project would require $24 million in federal investment and would create more than 330 jobs. Transit projects such as this would serve the needs of the community, help reduce oil consumption, and decrease global warming pollution.
Environment Minnesota’s proposals have the potential to meet the bulk of President-elect Obama’s goal of creating or sustaining nearly 3 million jobs and will help the president-elect fulfill his promise to reduce the nation’s oil dependence, according to the analysis.
Among the recommendations in the report are weatherizing U.S. homes and businesses, training workers for new, clean energy industries, and increasing public transportation capacity to meet rapidly growing demand. The complete report can be found at www.environmentamerica.org.
Tim Ollhoff works with Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL), which installs solar air heat systems on the homes of low-income families. Ollhoff pointed out that “solar potential in Minnesota is just as good a Texas.” Each system the group installs produces approximately 8-9 million BTUs per heating season and reduces the introduction of about 21 metric tons of carbon dioxide over the system’s lifetime. “We are poised to ramp up the manufacturing of our solar air heat collectors and could provide a number of jobs both in manufacturing and installation with the support of this technology at the Federal level,” added Ollhoff.
Duluth native Paul Helstrom with Great Northern Solar, added “Everywhere I look around here, my hometown of Duluth, I see many opportunities for my chosen field of solar photovoltaic electricity. I can think of many more opportunities for economic expansion.” “By tapping into our local resources like wind and solar, we can reinvigorate our economy and approach a sustainable future. Our elected officials have an opportunity to lead the way, and we call on them to do so,” added Helstrom.
Environment Minnesota warns that Big Oil, King Coal, the road-builders and other polluting interests want to dominate the economic recovery program. “We are calling on Representative Oberstar, our entire Minnesota delegation, and the rest of the new Congress to keep it clean and pass a green recovery plan for a cleaner safer stronger America,” concluded Chadwick.
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Environment Minnesota is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.
