WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek, CA), a member of the House Science and Technology Committee, today is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day by highlighting the 69 billion ways our planet has been helped by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

"This Earth Day, it’s worth remembering that job creation and environmental protection go hand-in-hand," said Congressman Garamendi. "The economic consequences of inaction on climate change could cripple our economy, yet with sound investments in clean technology and energy efficiency, we are capable of creating millions of jobs while leaving our grandchildren a greener, more hopeful future."

ARRA invested $69 billion to modernize our electricity grid to make it more efficient and reliable. ARRA also created tax incentives to spur energy savings and to create clean energy jobs. Billions of dollars were set aside for clean energy research.

"When Congress voted for the Recovery Act last year, they created a boon in green jobs, sending Earth and our nation down a more sustainable and prosperous path," Garamendi added. "With ARRA’s $69 billion investment in clean energy, we are on a track to create more than 700,000 green jobs by 2012, and we will nearly double our renewable energy output over four years."

Through ARRA, California has received at least $3.9 billion in transportation funding, $2.7 billion to modernize its energy grid, $1.4 billion in science and technology investments, and $1.2 billion for water and environment projects. A sample of green projects in the 10th Congressional District funded through ARRA include:

• $13 million to BART for a crossover project that will put approximately 5,000 people to work while providing more seating, more trains, and improved on-time service for travelers to and from Contra Costa County;
• $5 million to the Delta Diablo Sanitation District to help expand the region’s water recycling systems, reducing our demand on scarce water resources;
• $1 million to the City of Fairfield to modernize its lighting infrastructure, creating jobs and safer streets while reducing Fairfield’s greenhouse gas emissions;
• $1 million to the City of Concord to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities, helping to reduce the need for automobile transit in the city; and
• $418,751 to Solano Community College to launch a green jobs education program that will help area residents land green jobs.

Moreover, tens of millions more went to capitalized maintenance throughout the district. As the State of California slashes billions from local transit budgets, this valued source of federal money helped prevent more drastic cuts to services across the board, including public transportation.