Blue Green Alliance joins the Ohio Environmental Council in Earth Day Lobby Effort

Columbus – Blue Green Alliance members, representing both labor and environmental organizations, joined the Ohio Environmental Council and other groups today in visiting lawmakers at the Statehouse to talk about issues that impact the economy and environment of the state.

“As a member organization in the Blue Green Alliance, we are pleased that other members have decided to join in our efforts to keep our environment in the forefront of legislators’ minds as they make decisions with long-lasting implications,” said Jack Shaner, Ohio Environmental Council Director of Public Affairs.  “It takes partnerships like the ones developed through the Blue Green Alliance to accomplish our goals of a cleaner environment which also benefits our economy.”

“The members of the Blue Green Alliance reject the myth that a clean environment means the loss of good-paying, quality jobs in Ohio,” said Donnie Blatt with the United Steelworkers.  “We can have both and we proudly join other Alliance members in sharing that message with our legislators.”

The Earth Day lobbying effort began with morning information sessions regarding the comprehensive approach the Ohio Environmental Council is taking to address environmental issues affecting the communities, children, and future of Ohio.  Attendees broke into smaller lobby teams in the afternoon to meet with lawmakers and Ohio department officials.

The Ohio Blue Green Alliance is a coalition of Ohio labor unions (blue) and environmental/ conservation groups (green) that represent mainstream American values.  The goal of the Blue Green Alliance is to build a stronger, more positive vision for the future of Ohio by working together to achieve a strong economy, a cleaner environment, and a safer world, in part, by advancing: an energy efficient future that reduces our dependence on foreign oil; responsible trade policies that invest in Ohio jobs and protect the environment; public transportation improvements; high performance buildings; and a moratorium on factory farms.  The Blue Green Alliance member organizations represent 635,000 Ohioans.