FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 13, 2010
CONTACT: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384
Obama Administration Clean Energy
Investments Putting America to Work
New Report Shows Recovery Act Supported 63,000 Clean Energy Jobs Last Quarter
Washington, D.C.--The White House Council of Economic Advisers today released a new quarterly report highlighting the success of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act at creating jobs and fueling economic growth. The report, which includes analysis from outside economists, shows that the Recovery Act has saved or created 1.5 to 2 million jobs through last quarter. 63,000 clean energy jobs were created by the $5 billion (out of approximately $90 billion total) in clean energy investments spent under the Recovery Act so far. The report estimates that, in total, the Recovery Act's clean energy investments will create 719,600 job-years (one person employed for one year) through 2012. The Sierra Club offered the following comments in response.
Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director
"This report is proof positive that government investments in clean energy are already putting food on the table and paying the mortgage for tens of thousands of Americans across the country. Tens of billions more from the Recovery Act will be invested in the months to come, so these jobs are really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the impact of the administration's unprecedented investments in clean energy.
"While the numbers released today are very good news, even the dramatic investments made by the Obama administration pale in comparison to the private capital waiting to be unleashed. That capital--and the millions of clean energy jobs that will come with it--remains frozen because the Senate has yet to pass comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation. With millions of Americans out of work, it's time for the Senate to get serious about passing a comprehensive climate bill that will help get America working again. "President Obama has made tremendous progress over the past year, but he and his administration can't accomplish everything without more help from Congress. The race to build the clean energy economy is on. Unless Congress acts soon, the U.S. will be left sitting on the sidelines as China, India, Brazil and other countries compete for the jobs and industries of tomorrow." # # #