A quick introduction

by: BGA-Sue

Wed Oct 14, 2009 at 12:50:10 PM EDT

First, I'll let you know a bit about myself. I live in Hastings, Michigan. I've been a lifelong activist and have been a United Steelworker for over 20 years. I came out of USW local #5965 where I was very active, serving as a steward, sitting on the bargaining committee and holding many other various positions. I went to work for the International Union as the Rapid Response coordinator for District 2, which led me to my current work with the BGA. Blue Green Alliance is a national, strategic partnership between labor unions and environmental organizations dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the green economy. It was launched in 2006 by the United Steelworkers and the Sierra Club. Our unique labor-environmental collaboration has grown to include the Communications Workers of America (CWA), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). We unite eight million people in pursuit of good jobs, a clean environment and a green economy.

I get to meet a lot of people throughout the labor community by visiting local unions to talk about how climate change is impacting us all and how clean energy will help us both economically and environmentally. One common theme is that people are ready for a change in the way we get our energy. The U.S. spends $1 billion a day on foreign oil. We need to fundamentally change that by switching to cleaner energy solutions that are homegrown that will create jobs right here. The U.S. House already passed a strong climate change and clean energy jobs bill, and now the Senate will begin debating their version, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act this year. To achieve the goals of a cleaner environment and a prosperous and fair clean energy economy, we need to be sure they pass legislation that protects workers and ignites our clean energy economy.

It's my hope that this diary can help ensure that progressives across Michigan get involved and let our Senators know that we can't afford to wait to act on America's clean energy future. Too much depends on it: jobs, the environment, and even our national security.

I'll be posting these diaries periodically to let you know how things are going and provide information about clean energy. Thanks for reading!