WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 1, 2012) Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics unveiled the May unemployment statistics, showing the economy gained 69,000 jobs, increasing the unemployment rate slightly from to 8.1 percent up to 8.2 percent. The following is a statement from BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director David Foster:

“Another month has gone by without a clear path forward from Congress on transportation or clean energy investments — such as extending the Production Tax Credit for the renewable energy and reviving other clean energy tax incentives — such as the 48C Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit and the Section 1603 Grant in Lieu of Tax Credit program — that are proven job creators.”

“This month the economy also experienced the first uptick in unemployment in 11 months. This is a warning sign that gridlock in Congress over job creation initiatives cannot continue. Passing a long-term transportation bill — not yet another short-term or underfunded extension — is something that should transcend politics and be done immediately.

“With millions of Americans still looking for work, we can’t afford to cede any of the gains we’ve made creating new industries of growth that will help America compete in a 21st century economy. We need a national plan to get Americans working again in 21st century jobs that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, while protect our environment and the rights of working people. We have this plan, called Jobs21!, and important components of it include Congress taking action to create millions of good paying, middle class jobs in construction, transportation, clean energy and manufacturing by passing a long-term transportation bill and extending and reviving clean energy job creation tools today.”