Business Coalition Wants Clean Energy, Climate Laws
In its first six weeks, the American Businesses for Clean Energy (ABCE) initiative has grown from 19 members to more than 750 businesses.
ABCE is a diverse coalition of businesses that support Congressional action to pass clean energy and climate legislation that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
ABCE spokesperson Christopher Van Atten said: "The rapid increase in business flocking to ABCE sends a strong signal to Congress of the strong support for meaningful and effective legislation that will drive clean technology innovation, create jobs, and address the threat of global climate change. With all of the business interest in the proceedings at Copenhagen and the increasing focus on climate change, we expect to see an additional surge in our membership over the holiday period and into January. Frankly, we have been overwhelmed by the interest in the American Businesses for Clean Energy."
Among the new members is Serious Materials, Inc., a Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company that manufactures energy-efficient building materials. The company's chief executive officer was named "Entrepreneur of the Year for 2009" by Inc. magazine. Other new members include: The Saunders Hotel Group, a Boston-based hotel management firm with properties throughout the Northeast; and Recycled Energy Development, a Westmont, Ill.-based developer of industrial cogeneration projects.
Robin Roy, Ph.D., vice president, Serious Materials, Inc., said: "Serious Materials supports prompt, effective legislation to address the threat of climate change. We know from our first-hand experience that policies that deliver cost-effective energy efficiency not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions; they also benefit consumers and create good jobs. There is an enormous opportunity to improve energy efficiency in homes, schools, offices and other buildings across the country. We are delighted to play our part, manufacturing cost-effective super-insulating windows, and we are delighted to join with ABCE in helping get the word out that there are practical, economic steps that can and should be taken right now."
"The U.S. can cut its greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time improving corporate profitability," said Dick Munson, senior vice president, Recycled Energy Development. "Clean energy developers will respond to comprehensive climate legislation by making substantial investments that increase American productivity and jobs. It's time we change the way our country generates power in order to both slash our pollution and expand our competitiveness."
Some of the first signatories to the ABCE pledge of support included Aspen Skiing Company, Avista, Calpine Corporation, Conservation Services Group, DB Climate Change Advisors (Deutsche Bank Group), FPL Group, Gap Inc., National Grid, New York Power Authority, PNM Resources, and Public Service Enterprise Group. To see a full list of companies go to: www.americanbusinessesforcleanenergy.org/member/listing.