Hare Celebrates Earth Day with Alternative Energy Leader

Press Release

Hare Celebrates Earth Day with Alternative Energy Leader

Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today celebrated Earth Day (observed April 22) by touring the Autumn Trails Adult Living Community being developed by George Bialecki, CEO of Alternative Energy Builders, one of the leaders in responsible management of the nation's natural resources.

"I am grateful to be joined on this Earth Day weekend by George to talk about the importance of conservation and promoting alternative sources of energy," Hare said. "The seniors in this community should be commended—their decision to live in environmentally friendly housing will directly benefit future generations of Americans."

Alternative Energy Builders developed the first assisted living communities to be Energy Star rated by the U.S. Department of Energy. In addition, it's sister organization, Alternative Energy Living Foundations, has been selected to represent the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as part of the Future House demonstration.

The Autumn Trails Adult Living community includes the use of recycled and renewable materials, a geothermal heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system that uses no outside energy, and Energy Star rated windows and appliances. "Energy efficient housing represents the wave of the future," Hare added. "I am proud that the 17th district is home to one of the pioneers in this effort."

Democrats are leading similar efforts in the 110th Congress. On Thursday, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats launched a "Green the Capitol" initiative that will make the Congress a national leader for environmental stewardship and sustainable energy use. The plan calls for the House to operate in a carbon neutral manner by the end of this Congress.

Furthermore, in one of its first actions, the House passed the Clean Energy Act, a bill to redirect $14 billion in tax cuts for oil companies into the expansion of renewable fuels.

Hare said Congress also plans to take significant steps to reduce the threat of global warming. "The political foot-dragging by the Bush Administration and its allies in Congress must come to a stop," Hare said. "Global warming is an urgent threat and Democrats stand committed to putting measures in place to limit the emissions of greenhouse gases."

In February, the world's top climate scientists put out a landmark report that concluded global warming is "unequivocal" and that human activity is the main cause. "The results of global warming—including more intense hurricanes—could be devastating," Hare said.

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