WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 4, 2010) Following today’s release of May unemployment numbers, and after Majority Leader Harry Reid yesterday indicated that the Senate would take up comprehensive clean energy and climate change legislation in July, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director David Foster:

“While our economy is slowly improving, passing comprehensive climate change legislation will provide the jumpstart our economy needs by creating and maintaining millions of jobs and establishing the United States as a global leader in the production of clean energy.

“And recent events, including the disaster in the Gulf, mine accidents in West Virginia and Kentucky, and refinery fires in Washington and Texas make clear that we have to do more to ensure the safety and health of the people who work in these jobs every day.

“Passing the Protecting America’s Workers Act and the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010, which are aimed at strengthening penalties for violating workplace safety standards and further empowering the EPA to regulate toxic chemicals in the United States, is critical to ensuring that we are protecting workers, the environment and our communities.

“It’s time to embrace a clean energy economy in the United States – one that creates good jobs, protects workers and the environment and moves our nation toward the production of clean, renewable energy.”

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The BlueGreen Alliance is a national partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the clean energy economy. Launched by the United Steelworkers and Sierra Club in 2006, the BlueGreen Alliance now includes the Communications Workers of America, Natural Resources Defense Council, Laborers’ International Union of North America, Service Employees International Union, Utility Workers Union of America, American Federation of Teachers, Amalgamated Transit Union, and the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association.