Ohio Clean Energy and Sierra Club Activists Create Aerial Art
60 Cleveland residents showed up in Public Square this past Saturday to form Clean Energy Aerial Art in the shape of a wind turbine.
The event was organized to urge Senators Sherrod Brown and George Voinovich to vote in support of clean energy and oil spill response legislation, as well as encourage a national Renewable Energy Standard (RES).
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid introduced the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act that will strengthen oil industry safety standards and hold BP accountable for damages. The bill also includes the Home Star energy efficiency retrofit program, which finances the Land and Water Conservation Fund and creates infrastructure for electric vehicles. This bill will also offer incentives for natural gas-powered trucks. Perhaps more importantly, the Home Star program can create over 168,000 jobs in manufacturing, construction and retail.
“While this bill is not a substitute for a bold and comprehensive plan to increase the supply of clean energy, it's an investment in energy efficiency that will give America energy independence while creating jobs,” said MacKenzie Bailey, Associate Regional Representative of the Sierra Club.
Advocates at the event stressed the importance of preserving the Clean Air Act and encouraged Congress to pass a national Renewable Electricity Standard.
“Action must be taken this year to invest in clean energy, as well as keep good environmental policies intact, like the Clean Air Act,” stated the Sierra Club’s Regional Manager, Teresa McHugh, “The Clean Air Act has been in effect for over 40 years, during which our national GDP has grown and air pollution has been substantially reduced.”
“The time to act is now. We need our Senators to vote in support of the Clean Energy Jobs and Oil Company Accountability Act, encourage a national Renewable Energy Standard and preserve the Clean Air Act,” said MacKenzie Bailey, addressing the event attendees.
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