Washington, D.C.--President Obama today announced $2.3 billion in Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits, funded by the Recovery Act.  The 183 projects in 43 states that will benefit from these tax credits stand to create tens of thousands of jobs.  The Sierra Club offered the following comments in response.

Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director

"Clean energy jobs are already putting food on the table and paying the mortgage for tens of thousands of Americans across the country. The tax credits announced today will benefit tens of thousands more, as have the other investments already made as part of the administration's unprecedented economic recovery and job creation plan.

"President Obama is working hard to fix our economy, but he can't do it alone.  With millions of Americans still out of work, it's time for Congress to get serious about passing comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation.  In addition to creating millions of new jobs, clean energy legislation can revitalize American industry, create a new a middle class, and put our economy back on the path to long-term, sustained prosperity.

"Last month in Copenhagen, the rest of the world--including India, China, Brazil, and others--made clear that they will move forward with dramatic investments in their own clean energy industries--with or without action from the United States.  Unless Congress finalizes legislation this year, we risk being left behind and losing the race to build the clean energy industries that will fuel the world's economy in the 21 century."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 8, 2010
CONTACT: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384