St. Paul, MN - (October 11, 2004) The Minnesota Blue-Green Alliance today released a report demonstrating how Minnesota can create 37,000 new jobs and save consumers an average of $1,268 per year on energy bills by the year 2025 while protecting Minnesota's environment, reducing dependence on foreign oil and strengthening national and economic security for all Americans.

The release of the report comes on the heals of a devastating loss of 34,000 manufacturing jobs in Minnesota between 2001 and 2003. In the past four years, the United States has lost 1.6 million private-sector jobs.

"It's time to shatter the myth that you can't create high-paying jobs and protect the environment at the same time - that's a false choice," says Dave Foster, District 11 Director of the United Steelworkers. "We can design policies that are good for the environment while creating competitive new jobs - and this new report illustrates how to do that, right now."

Released nationally by Oakland, California-based think tank Redefining Progress on Tuesday, the report found that by the year 2025 Minnesota can create 37,000 additional new jobs, save consumers an average of $1,268 per year on energy bills and reduce this country's dependence on foreign oil by pursuing clean, efficient energy technologies.

"This report suggests that there is a right way and a wrong way to approach energy policies," said co-author Andrew Hoerner. "With the right approach, the interests of working families and the environment come together.With the right approach, we can create more job security, more energy security and better national security. This report shows that cleaner, more efficient energy policy leads to a stronger America."

For a copy of the report, click "Smarter, Cleaner, Stronger: Secure Jobs, Clean Environment & Less Foreign Oil."