Climate change legislation would produce many positive outcomes

From The Statesman Journal

While a deep national recession still plagues Oregon's economy, our growing clean energy sector is creating jobs and opportunity for Oregonians in every part of the state.

We are now U.S. headquarters for some of the largest clean energy companies in the world, and around the country Oregon has secured a strong reputation as a leader in sustainable, renewable, energy development.

IBEW Local 48 is proud to be a part of Oregon's clean energy economy. To date, we have trained 1,900 electricians in solar power, 600 people in wind energy and are also heavily involved in energy efficiency. We have also been involved in training women and minorities for careers that are well paid — providing health care and pensions. We have our own training school that is independently funded, and we have been doing business in Oregon for 100 years.

IBEW members have been on the forefront of the new technologies that make wind, solar, biomass and tidal power viable alternative options today. These, plus hydro, nuclear and clean coal, are all vital sources of energy that must be considered to fill an ever-growing need for electricity.

A comprehensive climate and clean energy bill at the federal level will help Oregon transition into a more energy independent state and allow us to work on exciting new projects like electrical vehicle plug-in stations, new light rail and street car systems and hopefully a new smart grid system.

I strongly urge Congress to make comprehensive climate change legislation a priority. This will be the first step in building our clean energy economy and putting Americans back to work.

— Joe Esmonde, Renewable Energy/Political Director IBEW, Portland