Blue Green Alliance Backs Job Creating Climate Change Legislation

CWA, with labor and environmental groups -- all members of the Blue Green Alliance – came together to support comprehensive "cap-and-trade" climate change legislation as an effective way to put millions of people back to work while bringing about a cleaner economy.

IUE-CWA President Jim Clark said the legislation would help steer the country in the right direction. "Meeting the challenge to tackle climate change will allow us to build a clean energy economy right here in the United States." Making parts for wind and solar power and fuel-efficient vehicles is just the beginning for quality, green jobs, he said. 

Other members of Blue Green Alliance are the United Steel Workers, Laborers' International Union, Service Employees International Union, the Sierra Group and the National Resources Defense Council.

The Alliance supports "cap and trade" pollution standards to reduce U.S. emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050 as well as other regulations, including standards for renewable, energy efficiency resources and fuel and appliance efficiency.

Any climate change legislation must address critical issues such as job losses from international competition and rising energy costs for low- and moderate-income families, the Alliance stressed.