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Coalition Lobbies for Good Jobs, Clean Environment, and Safer World


Citizens come to capitol to promote sustainable jobs and clean communities for Minnesota

St. Paul, MN – (February 18, 2005) Political paths intersected as members of Minnesota’s unions and environmental advocates gathered at the State Capitol for a “Blue-Green Citizen Lobby Day”. Their mission: to call for public transportation improvements, high performance buildings and renewable energy production.

“We’re calling for a bigger, bolder vision for the future of our state,” said Dave Foster, Director of the United Steelworkers (USW) District 11. “Our goal is to build a stronger Minnesota economy by creating good jobs with benefits, keeping investment in Minnesota and developing technologies that will give us a cleaner environment and safer world.”

 

“I am no lobbyist but as a regular Minnesotan I feel strongly that we need to take aggressive steps to get out front on these issues,” said retired teacher and associate member of the USW Betty Burton.

“Cost effective investments like the Minnesota Northstar Commuter Rail project need support from our elected leaders,” added Matthews Hollinshead, Transportation Chair, Sierra Club North Star Chapter.

Members of the Blue Green Alliance visited with state legislators throughout the day to discuss these issues.

“Our state leaders should create incentives to encourage high-performance, energy-efficient commercial buildings,” said Dee Long, Environmental Tax and Incentives Program Director of Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

 In the fall of 2004, the world’s second largest wind-energy manufacturer, Gamesa of Spain, announced it would open its U.S. headquarters and a large manufacturing plant for wind turbines in Pennsylvania. The plant is expected to create more than 1,000 jobs in Pennsylvania in five years in addition to hundreds of construction jobs.

“Minnesota can lead the nation in establishing a new high-wage, high-skill manufacturing sector that links clean energy and job creation,” said Dick Anfang, President of the Minnesota State Building & Construction Trades Council.  “Let’s build the next manufacturing plant in Minnesota.”

The Blue Green Alliance is a coalition of Minnesota unions and environmental groups that represents more than a half-million Minnesotans.

Good jobs * A clean environment * A safer world