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Apollo began in 2002 to tout a bold clean energy investment agenda as a comprehensive solution to our emerging security, jobs, and environmental challenges. That pioneering message work has now moved into the political mainstream.
Framing the Debate
Energy independence has become the top national security issue among America’s mothers, ahead of such hot-button issues as terrorism, the war in Iraq, or homeland security, according to Amy Gershkoff, an analyst with Greenberg, Quinlan, and Rosner. High oil prices and dependence for fuel on the violence-prone Middle East have driven both Republican and Democrat candidates to tout their clean energy plans. Ted Strickland, a candidate for Governor in Ohio, Governor Linda Lingle, who is running for re-election in Hawaii, and Senate candidates Bob Casey in Pennsylvania, Jon Tester in Montana, and Claire McCaskill in Missouri have all rolled out Apollo-esque energy plans.
They apparently got the strategy memo from James Carville, who recently told New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman “[Energy independence] is the thing we need to get done above and beyond everything else…This is not something to add to the stew—this is the stock.”
Building the Alliance
Apollo continued to grow our Alliance. Apollo leaders addressed the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, the National Latino Congreso, and the National Council of Churches. In just the past few months, Apollo has also launched new alliances in New York State, Michigan and Los Angeles. We continue to cultivate our diverse coalition by engaging the business community with events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington State.
Congressional Black Caucus Focuses on Energy
At a forum hosted by Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Jerome Ringo challenged a panel of oil and coal industry executives to recognize the coming reality of global warming and to support new strategies for clean energy and good jobs.
National Latino Congreso Addresses Energy and Climate Change
At the National Latino Congreso, Joel Rogers addressed a wide range of Latino community leaders, elected officials and activists on the future of energy and its impact on the Latino community.
Driving Progress in the States
Apollo scored major legislative victories in California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Los Angeles, and Washington State since the beginning of the year. Furthermore, we built support for major ballot initiatives in California and Washington State.
Los Angeles “Apollo Green Building Initiative”
At a rally of over 400 community members organized by Apollo ally SCOPE, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and members of the city council launched the Apollo Green Building Initiative, committing to “green” crumbling city-owned buildings while also creating good jobs that pay living wages for low-income residents.
California Apollo Rallies Support for California’s Clean Energy Ballot Initiative
The Apollo Alliance is proud to support Prop 87, a historic ballot initiative that will direct over $4 billion towards California’s clean energy future. Over the past few months, the California Apollo Alliance helped to secure California Labor Federation’s endorsement for the initiative. Prop 87 will:
- Reduce gasoline and diesel usage by 25% over the next 10 years;
- Create thousands of new clean energy jobs and grow our economy;
- Reduce air pollution that causes asthma attacks, lung disease and cancer.
Washington Apollo Supports Initiative 937 to Boost Renewable Power
Washington Apollo has worked hard to gain the Washington State Labor Council’s endorsement of the state’s RPS Ballot Initiative to raise statewide share of renewable power. Initiative 937 will guarantee that by 2020, 15% of the electricity would come largely from Washington’s abundant wind resources. The initiative will create family-wage jobs in engineering, construction, and building design.
Our Thanks
With your help and continued efforts the Apollo Alliance continues to shape the national energy debate, establish winning coalitions in states and cities across the nation, and establish policies that will create good, family-wage jobs across the country.
Please continue to support our grassroots efforts by donating to the Apollo Alliance. Also, if you are a Working Assets customer, please remember to vote for the Apollo Alliance.
We thank you for all of your support.
Sincerely,
Jerome Ringo, President
Apollo Alliance
Filed under: Ecology, Global Warming, Green Party Websites, Our Favorite Radio Stations, reform, US Politics
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