April 27, 2010

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Ben Ray Luján held a Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Task Force on Green Economy and Renewable Energy meeting with labor leaders and environmental and community advocates to discuss clean energy job creation and the impact of energy reform on America’s workers. Participants included representatives from the National Latino Coalition on Climate Change, the Blue Green Alliance, the United States Green Building Council, the League of Conservation Voters, and SEIU.

“There is tremendous potential for Latinos to participate in an emerging clean energy workforce,” said Rep. Luján. “It is important to engage the labor community and Latinos as we look to create clean energy jobs across the country.  We must ensure that green jobs are good jobs that protect the essential rights of Latino workers.”

The group discussed the impact of the recession on Latino communities, which have been hit hard and are facing serious job losses.  Rep. Luján emphasized that clean energy jobs have potential to help lift the Latino community out of unemployment. The group also discussed the importance of keeping clean energy jobs localized and in the United States.

“The job growth created by the clean energy industry should benefit communities here at home. By making America a leader in clean energy, we can both support local workers and create good jobs in our country that benefit our local economies.”

Rep. Luján is the Chair of the CHC Task Force on Green Economy and Renewable Energy. The Task Force explores ways to involve Latinos in a clean energy economy—including efforts to support renewable energy development and reduce green house gas emissions.