In Honor of Earth Day, Mikulski Hosts Briefings with Maryland's Environmental Leaders

Press Release

In Honor of Earth Day, Mikulski Hosts Briefings with Maryland's Environmental Leaders

Announces priority mass transit and Green Jobs initiatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) honored Earth Day this week by hosting briefings with key environmental activists and experts in Maryland, including Don Boesch, President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), to share information on how to best address the climate crisis and what steps local, state and federal government are and should take toward conservation. In particular, Senator Mikulski announced that this year she will focus her efforts on funding the federal Green Jobs workforce training program and lead Team Maryland in the fight for eco-friendly mass transit throughout the state.

"The world is facing a climate crisis. Action is necessary, and must start now," said Senator Mikulski. "We need a sensible energy plan that starts with conservation, offers incentives for new renewable energy, and increases fuel efficiency standards."

As Chair of the Maryland delegation and a senior member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski announced that she will focus her efforts in the subcommittee on providing a continued federal investment in Maryland's MARC Commuter Rail System and other forms of mass transit that are safe for the commuter, cost efficient for the consumer and environmentally sound.

"More money for Maryland mass transit systems means more than just transportation - it means residents and visitors in Maryland and our nation's Capitol can live, work, worship and play throughout the state without ever getting in their cars," said Senator Mikulski. "I will continue to fight for Maryland's fair share with smart investments that keep travelers on the move and help lessen the pollution and congestion caused by older rail cars and buses."

A major national investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency could also create more than three million jobs over the next ten years. The Green Jobs workforce training program, which was authorized in last year's energy bill, will provide resources to ensure the nation has the skilled workers necessary to help the country transition to a clean energy economy. The program creates a sustainable, comprehensive public program to provide quality training for jobs created through renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Mikulski has pledged to fight to fully fund training, block grant and other authorized programs in fiscal year 2009.

"America needs real solutions to what we are going to do to become energy independent. We need to keep America rolling," said Senator Mikulski. "The Green Jobs workforce training program helps our country prepare for the future, while at the same time creating more jobs."

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