ProgressOhio

Charlie Wilson is proud to be a CONSERVATIVE, do we need him in D.C. for another 2 years?


October 30, 3008

At last night's candidates' forum in Lisbon, Ohio, Charlie Wilson said he was proud to be a conservative and to dismantle federal programs.

Is this the type of compassionate conservatism we need in Washington for another 2 years after 8 years of such leadership from George Bush?

Charlie Wilson is proud to bail out Wall Street for 700 Billion dollars but believes Universal Health Care is a bad investment.

Charlie Wilson is proud to bail out his Wall Street campaign contributors who gave him over $460,000 over the last 2 years but believes there is no need to clean up the environment.

Charlie Wilson like all conservatives believes 21st century green technology is digging up more green grass and mountaintops and depleting our fossil fuels like coal. And he also believes coal is clean like all good conservatives.

Can we afford to keep Charlie Wilson in Washington blocking progressive ideas and innovations over the next 2 years?

ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.org/electspisak.tripod.com

We need a Federal Commitment to the Apollo Energy Program.

October 29, 2008

As Green Party Candidate for Congress in the 6th district, I firmly support a Federal Commitment to the Apollo Energy Program.

Last week Randy Swisher, the executive director of the American Wind Energy Association, notified us that his organization's board of directors agreed to support The New Apollo Program. With its endorsement, AWEA became the 48th organization to sign on to the Apollo Alliance's national clean energy, good jobs economic development strategy. "We view the program as incredibly compatible with our agenda and look forward to working with you to make it a reality," wrote Swisher.

Swisher's message came just days after the Apollo Alliance finished its six state town hall tour to roll out The New Apollo Program. Our recommendations for how to scale up clean energy tools and techniques to get America's economy back on track were greeted enthusiastically everywhere we went.

In Detroit, Senator Debbie Stabenow captured the sentiments of nearly all the speakers who participated in the roll out events. "The New Apollo Program is the kind of bold program we need. We have to be bolder than we've been," she said during a program that included our President Jerome Ringo, and representatives of the governor's office, the state Legislature, union leaders, and business and environmental leaders. "The next Congress will take up proposals to curb global warming, to seek a system of cap and trade, to invest in biofuels and alternative energy."

"The $50 billion a year that The New Apollo Program proposes to invest just doesn't seem like that much money," Stabenow continued. "It's not a lot of money to spend on our future, especially when you consider the $700 billion that we just spent to bail out our banking system."

In Columbus, Ohio Governor Ted called The New Apollo Program a "win, win, win, win, win strategy." Representative Jay Inslee declared in Seattle, "To those who say over the next few months we should be passive, they're wrong. The antidote is action. The antidote is The New Apollo Program. That's how we solve economic doldrums in this country."

Senator Barbara Boxer joined Apollo Alliance Chairman Phil Angelides at the first event in San Leandro, California, where he memorably declared: "We are closing a chapter on policies that didn't work and opening a new chapter of those that do."

The solution is a dramatic change in how the United States and the world develop and use clean energy. While America's credit and stock market crisis has drained value out of industrial stocks, including shares of clean energy companies, it's temporary.

Policy responses reflect that. New Jersey this week completed a clean energy master plan designed to accelerate the development of a new way to power the Garden State. Hawaii this week approved a new energy policy designed to produce 70 percent of the state's power from clean sources by 2030, the most ambitious program of its type in the country. California's energy-efficiency policies created nearly 1.5 million jobs from 1977 to 2007.

The missing piece is a federal commitment to investment in clean energy equivalent in scale and urgency to the original Apollo program to land a man on the moon.

ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: [votespisak.org]

Green Collar Jobs Can Rebuild the 6th District

October 28, 2008


Green-Collar Jobs Campaign is making huge strides in Oakland and throughout California.

As you may have heard, the launch of Oakland's first-ever Green Jobs Corps happened last week. The inaugural class of 40 young people will get comprehensive, job-linked training in green careers with solid, long-term potential.

With proper leadership, we're turning our vision of a green economy that's strong enough to lift people out of poverty into reality. But there's still more work to do.

Ella Baker Center has become a local, statewide, and national example of how solutions to the climate crisis benefit our communities, the sagging economy, AND our planet. Our Green-Collar Jobs Campaign has had the opportunity :

· Help other cities in the Bay Area launch green career training programs.

· Expand the statewide coalition of community organizations, environmentalists, labor unions, green business leaders and others who are calling for green jobs and green economic growth.

· Advocate for green job training and employment opportunities in the state capitol and across California.

Earlier this year -- California's biggest green jobs bill almost all the way through the state legislature. Now they are putting together an improved version for 2009, which will invest over $2 billion in green career education and training throughout California.

By electing Green Party Candidates we will help the Green-Collar Jobs Campaign extend our reach and strengthen our role as a valued partner in building green jobs throughout Ohio as well. Your support will also help us boost the success of programs that will prepare thousands of people for clean-energy careers.

Now is the time to invest in solutions that protect our planet's natural resources and benefit our communities' "natural resources" -- its people.

ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: [votespisak.org]

Time to Rebuild America


October 27, 2008

Conventional wisdom holds that America has to get the federal budget deficit under control. John McCain and many conservatives have vowed to impose a government-wide spending freeze (excluding spending on the military, veterans, and entitlements). But cutting federal spending during a recession is a recipe for depression. To climb out of the hole that conservative economic ideology and policy has thrown us into, we need federal spending to reinvigorate economic growth. We should use this moment to make investments that will improve our future. It is time to rebuild America.

* We are looking at a deep and potentially long recession. America has lost nearly a million private-sector jobs since the beginning of the year. Home values are declining at record rates. Exports, which have been rising recently, will begin to sink as the economic downturn spreads across the globe. State and local government employment, which has also been rising, will certainly decline as layoffs are made to compensate for rising state-budget deficits. The manufacturing sector never recovered from the last recession. Consumer confidence recently plunged at the fastest rate ever. Sources

* To avoid a deeper downturn, we have to kick start our economy. The consensus among economists, even "deficit hawks" like former Clinton Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, is that we need another fiscal stimulus to jumpstart economic growth. To be effective, a growth package will have to have a value of about 2-3 percent of our gross domestic product, or at least $300 billion. Congressional Democrats are looking to enact part of that--a $150 billion stimulus--before the end of 2008. Sources

* The most effective stimulus would focus on making the investments we need to generate jobs. The stimulus payments distributed this summer didn't help get the economy growing. Americans spent some of that money to pay down debt and some on goods made abroad, yielding little bang for the buck. To be more efficient, a stimulus plan should focus on making or sustaining public investments. First, it should provide aid to state and local governments to forestall deep layoffs. Second, it should extend unemployment payments and raise food stamp benefits, providing help to those who will spend the extra money. Most importantly, it should include investments that are vital to improving our future: modernizing infrastructure, promoting green buildings, and developing clean-energy technology. These investments would create jobs here in America. Economists say that such a stimulus package will yield the greatest return on the investment. In contrast, stimulus plans centered on tax cuts for the wealthy--like those proposed by Bush and McCain--tend to pull money out of circulation, generating the opposite of a stimulus effect. Sources

The conservative economic strategy risks another depression. The conservative response to our current recession is denial. John McCain said, "The only action I would take [to respond to the recession] is to correct what's got us into it. What's got us into it? Out of control spending." That's virtually the same prescription President Herbert Hoover gave as he led America deeper into the Great Depression. Like McCain, he said, "We must have insistent and determined reduction in government expenses." History emphatically shows that a short-sighted and narrow focus on deficit reduction leads to economic disaster. Sources

Progressive Solution

This is an emergency, so we have to do whatever it takes to fight our way out of recession. Conservatives balk at the short-term costs of a national growth program. But the costs of a severe recession--both short- and long-term--would be far greater.

A stimulus should be sufficient, strategic and sustained. An economic stimulus has to be of sufficient size to make a positive impact on our $15 trillion economy. It must also be strategic, making investments that are vital to our long term future. And it must be sustained, consisting not only of one-time rebates, but of years of investments that put people to work. By fostering economic growth, such a stimulus program will generate tax revenue that will help bring the budget into balance (though we'll still have to deal with Bush's top-end tax breaks, which generated record deficits even while the economy was growing).

ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: [votespisak.org]

http://www.coalisnottheanswer.org/


Vote for Dennis Spisak- Green Party Candidate-
US Congress 6th district

Charlie Wilson offers no new solutions

October 26, 2008

In a recent article regarding the race for the 6th Congressional District, Incumbent Charlie Wilson continues to offer no new solutions to issues facing the district.
Is this the type of leadership we want and need in Washington? Read the article and tell me what solutions Charlie Wilson will bring to the 6th District? Then ask yourself what solutions Dennis Spisak will bring to the district? Charlie Wilson is not worthy of re-election to Congress this year. Dennis Spisak is worthy of representing the 6th district in 2009.



Wilson challenged by Spisak, Stobbs
By PAUL GIANNAMORE, Business editor- Steubenville Herald Star
Voters will choose among three candidates for the 6th House District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives Nov. 4. Incumbent Democrat Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville faces a challenge from Republican Richard "Dick" Stobbs of Dillonvale and Green Party candidate Dennis Spisak of Struthers.
The candidates responded to an e-mail questionnaire.

Experience

Wilson, 65, was elected to his first term in Congress in 2006. Prior to that, he was a state senator from 2004-06 and a state representative from 1996 to 2004, serving as minority whip in 1998 to 2000 and assistant minority leader from 2000-02. He was president of Wilson Funeral and Furniture Co. Inc. from 1966 to 2006 and served as a welder, painter and assembly line worker from 1961-65.

Stobbs, 62, is a past Belmont County sheriff and served 13 years in federal government, including three years with the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington as a criminal justice specialist. He also cited a lifetime of public service including service as a volunteer firefighter and member of emergency squads, and various civic and community activities. He earned the Bronze Star for service with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam.

Spisak, 49, was one of the first Green Party members elected in Ohio to the Struthers board of education in 2005. He has served as principal of Southern Local High School in Columbiana County among his 23 years of experience as an educator.

Why cast a vote
for you?

Spisak: "I am not afraid to call for health care for all Ohioans, economic justice and nothing less than a renewal of America's sense of community and promise of equal opportunity for all citizens."
Spisak said the area's representative must address "the issues facing regular citizens, not lobbyists or corporation PACs."

Stobbs: "I believe my record of service and honesty, along with my desire to 'change business as usual in Washington' makes me the best suited to represent the 6th Congressional District."

Wilson: "My goal is to always do whatever I can to stand up for working families. To that end, the focus of my first term in Congress has been the economy, energy and health care."
Wilson pointed to his vote in favor of the first minimum wage increase in more than a decade, as well as hard work to be sure the nation's energy plan includes "our area's most vital resource - coal."
Wilson said he will continue to fight for common sense health care policies including support for children's insurance, despite two vetoes by President Bush.

What is the most pressing need for the district, and what can you do to see that this need is met?

Stobbs: "I propose initiating a Jobs Action Team, composed of members from chambers of commerce, industry, agriculture, labor organizations, clergy, local government officials and interest citizens. As U.S. representative, I would seek out CEOs and corporate executives to visit the district, meet with the Jobs Action Team, encouraging them to locate in the 6th District."

Wilson: "The best service I can provide as a member of Congress is to help foster an economic environment that will lead to business expansion and job creation. Our current economic crisis has come home to roost on Main streets all across the Ohio Valley, and I am proud that I stood up to do something about it."

Spisak: "Democrats and Republicans legislate for corporations. I would legislate for the American citizen. The Democrats and Republicans got $120 million from CEOs and corporations last year. Incumbent Congressman Charlie Wilson got over $450,000 from lobbyists and corporate PACs last year. Who does Charlie Wilson truly represent in Washington? The time has come for a candidate that cares less about corporations and more about you. I am that candidate that is concerned about regular Americans and will make this country a better legacy for our children."
Spisak said he will not accept lobbyist or corporate PAC money if elected.

Wilson has spoken often about making the Ohio Valley the new energy corridor for future employment and to serve the nation. The three men presented their responses to that concept.

Wilson: "Alternative energy is not only a challenge, it's an incredible opportunity for our region. I work every day to make sure that the rest of the country understands that we have two resources in abundance: A dedicated work force and coal that can be cleanly used. I firmly believe these resources are key to creating an energy corridor along the Ohio River."
Wilson said an energy corridor would not only provide jobs and boost the local economy but also would provide "domestically produced energy to a country eager to wean itself off foreign energy."

Stobbs: "I do not agree with the 'energy corridor' concept, that is just a 'political buzz word' to distract voters from the incumbent's non-action as a legislator for the past 12 years. That approach is too narrow-focused and seems designed to take credit for the two significant energy projects currently under development in the southern part of the district."
Stobbs said steel and transportation, as well as agriculture, all present potential for the district.
"The future depends on the leadership of community and government leaders marketing the skills and resources of the district to bring in new business and industry to revitalize the district," he said.

Spisak: "I believe our area can become an energy corridor except I disagree with the way Mr. Wilson wants to do it."
Spisak accused Wilson of being paid $18,000 by the coal industry to support the plant.
"Burning coal-to-liquid fuel is arguably the dirtiest, most expensive energy gamble we could take. The truth is that liquid coal is plagued with economic and environmental downsides from the time the coal is mined until long after the liquid is removed from the coal," he said.
Spisak said nearly twice the global warming emissions are emitted by liquid coal than by gasoline and huge inputs of energy are required to make coal into a synthetic fuel.
He also said replacing just 10 percent of the nation's transportation fuels with liquid coal would require a 40 percent increase in coal mining, which would jeopardize long-term prospects for coal including its use as a major electricity source.
"I believe in building an energy corridor based upon renewable energy companies and manufacturers who will build and produce green jobs such as solar and wind component plants. Blue-collar jobs - to put our people back to work," he said.
Spisak described the New Apollo program (put together by the Apollo Alliance, a group of business, labor, environmental and community groups) which calls for a $500 billion over 10 years with the potential to create more than 5 million green energy jobs.
"It will accelerate the development of the nation's vast clean energy resources and move us toward energy security, climate stability and economic prosperity," Spisak said. "And it will transform America into the global leader of the new green economy."
(Giannamore can be contacted at pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com.)

ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: [votespisak.org]

UPSET THE SETUP!
Elect Green Party candidate Dennis Spisak to U.S. Congress- District 6th!

The democrats and republicans just handed Wall Street a $700 BILLION BAIL OUT but they want us to believe that UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE is a bad investment.

Dennis Spisak believes that Americans should no longer have to worry about losing coverage if they lose or change their job. Employers should no longer have to worry about the ever-increasing costs of health care.

The democrats and republicans are willing to spend $700 Billion to clean up the mess that their greedy campaign contributors on Wall Street created but they drag their feet on cleaning up the environment. Both major party presidential candidates support nuclear power and off shore drilling.

Dennis Spisak believes that we must depend less on fossil fuels in the future and more on renewable energies sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy. He supports efforts "green economic efforts such as the New Apollo Program which is a comprehensive economic investment strategy to build America's 21st century clean energy economy.

Vote GREEN! ~www.votespisak.org~Vote GREEN!~www.votespisak.org Qualifications and Experience:A former High School Principal Dennis Spisak is a member of the Struthers Board of Education.He has served on the OASSA Athletic Committee on the OASSA Legislative Committee, and on the committees to design, create, and develop the constitution and by-laws for the Inter-Tri County League.Dennis Spisak has experience and knowledge in the areas of budget development and management, school/community relations, human resource development and evaluation, negotiations, construction, levy and bond issue passage.

Democrats and Republicans legislate for corporations. I would legislate for the American people. The Democrats and Republicans got $120 million dollars from CEOs and corporations last year. Incumbent Congressman Charlie Wilson got over $450,000 from lobbyists and corporate PACs last year. Who does Charlie Wilson truly represent in Washington? I will not accept any Lobbyist or Corporate PAC money if elected to Congress.Vote GREEN! www.votespisak.orgVote GREEN! www.votespisak.org Vote GREEN!

I have been watching the candidates trying to see if either kniows anything about renewable energy and I hear them both in the debates talking about "Clean Coal". OMG, they are both walking around like lobbyist lapdogs parroting the corrupt utility lobby junk about "Clean Coal"

The opportunity that I promote today is the ability to have your own windmills for residental, communities, schools, farmers and ranchers. The economic opportunity for wind power is for ALL individuals and landowners, not just power companies and super rich developers. Windpower, its benefits, and economics are fully scaleable all the way down to a residential wind turbine.

See Article:
Net Metering Battleground That's where the issue is AT!

Helping homeowners build and install wind/solar hybrid systems is a really fun way to make a living. We have kits starting at just under a thousand bucks and going up to whatever size project a customer needs.

We even sell larger community sized wind turbines for school districts or local government projects. Anyway, the best selling is the smaller rooftop mounted turbines that connect with a solar panel to give clean reliable power.



You see, since the wind is stronger in the winter months, sun is stronger in the summer months, we designed a system that is attractively priced, that gives an even flow of energy year round. Many interested in home wind power are exploring homegrown junkyard turbines to build yourself. I think it's great to check out the home grown turbine kits and plans, but they will look like what they are when finished. They will not look like these kits that we sell. For most people, a professionally designed high tech kit is the way to to. It's way simpler to assemble and put up and is simply more attractive at the home. My starter kits put out far more reliably and will perform much better. Small DIY Wind Turbine Generator Kits

See Small Wind Turbine Tax Credit

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US's First Feed-In-Tariff For Solar Power Could Be Adopted by Gainesville, Florida, Why not Ohio?

October 21, 2008

reported by Matthew McDermott, Brooklyn, NY on 10.17.08

Now that the legislative dust seems to have settled and the issue of renewable energy tax incentives resolved, at least for the time being, in the United States it might be tempting to overlook the following announcement coming out of Gainesville, Florida, but you shouldn't.
In a plan outlined on Monday, Gainesville has indicated that it is considering adopting feed-in-tariffs for renewable energy along the lines of the program which has enabled Germany to become a world leader in the industry.
If adopted, the plan would be the first of its kind in the nation:
Utility Guarantees Price for 20 Years
Under the program Gainesville Regional Utilities will buy all of the electricity produced by solar PV systems at a guaranteed rate per kilowatt-hour for the next 20 years. Current net metering and renewable energy rebate programs will be replaced with this feed-in-tariff.
In touting the program, assistant general manager for GRU strategic planning Ed Regan said "People are putting their pension funds into solar panels, holding companies are investing in renewable energy. These are great investments because there's a guaranteed price backed by German credit; in this case GRU's credit is probably just as good."
The Feed-in-Tariff Advantage
While it may seem to be splitting policy hairs, there really is a substantial difference both in theory and practice between feed-in-tariffs and the more common net metering.
Under a feed-in-tariff the cost of spurring innovation by guaranteeing a certain rate for renewable energy is spread across all utility customers, with all of the electricity produced being feed into the electric grid. In Germany, the cost of the feed-in-tariff program amounts to about a 2% increase to an average families monthly electricity costs.
Cheaper to Run, Symbolically Important
Ultimately this results in the program being able to operate independent of the tax system, cost less to administer than other renewable energy promotion programs, and provide a more stable investment environment. It also important symbolically, as it represents a more significant communal commitment to renewable energy than other promotion programs, which focus on the advantage to the individual first.
A Sign of Things to Come?
Anecdotally it's worth noting that the German program, which extends back into the 1990s, but has really come into its own in the past five years or so, began at the municipal level and was only later adopted nationally. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come in the United States.
ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.org/electspisak.tripod.com

Help Keep the Economy Rolling

October 20, 2008

First, I would like to thank all the voters and supporters we met down in Athens, Ohio while campaigning down there this past weekend.....

The $700 billion economic rescue plan may have kept us from going over the edge, but we must look beyond the bailout to bring back jobs, reduce our energy bills, or revive our crumbling factories.
For that, America needs a long-term plan to turn our economy around. We need a plan that features practical solutions to end our addiction to oil, reduce energy costs, and create millions of green jobs. The Apollo Alliance has that plan - but you still haven't given it your support,
Sign on to the New Apollo Program - get America's economy back on track!
It's easy to throw up our hands and think we can't do anything about the economy, but we can. And right now, with the nation searching desperately for answers, we've got a window of opportunity.
Thousands of people like you have signed on to the plan already, and we're setting out to double our total by Election Day - so we need you to take action and tell your friends.
Here's how the plan works:
1. Rebuild America clean and green, with energy efficient buildings and factories, mass transit, and renewable power sources.
2. Make it in America - rebuild the U.S. auto industry to produce efficient cars and trucks, and create new green jobs in clean energy manufacturing.
3. Help America compete, by investing in American-made clean energy technologies - instead of falling behind countries in Asia and Europe.
4. In the process, we create 5 million green-collar jobs - and train and educate people from across the economic spectrum to fill them.
This is possible, all of it. In fact it's already happening, from shuttered factories now producing energy efficient cars to Midwest cities revitalized by wind energy.
We've crunched the numbers. We've figured out how a "cap and invest" system can fund the plan. And we've built an unprecedented coalition of business, labor, environmental, and community leaders who believe this is what our country needs.
Together we can make the green economy a reality.

ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.org/electspisak.tripod.com

And you can do something about it!

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel (OCC) is encouraging Columbia Gas customers to speak out about the company's proposed $87.8 million rate hike.

If approved by the PUCO, the fixed monthly charge paid by customers will increase from $6.50 per month to $13.00 and eventually $19.50 per month.

This change in the rate structure will result in lower-usage, lower-income customers carrying more of the burden and also remove much of the incentive customers have to conserve energy, since usage will now make up a smaller portion of their bill.

Ohioans can voice their opinions about the proposed rate increase on the following dates:

● Salem, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. Kent State University, Room 101/Lecture Hall 2491 St. Rt. 45 South

● Springfield, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. Springfield City Hall, City Forum - First Floor 76 East High Street

● Mansfield, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. Mansfield City Council Chambers 30 North Diamond Street

● Columbus, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. Wolfe Park Shelter House 105 Park Drive

● Athens, Monday, Nov. 10, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. Athens Community Center 701 East State Street, Suite 201

● Toledo, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. Bowsher High School 2200 Arlington Avenue

● Parma, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008, at 12:30 p.m. Parma City Hall, Council Chambers 6611 Ridge Road

● Lorain, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. Lorain City Hall, Council Chambers 200 West Erie Avenue

Can't make it? You can also make yourself heard by writing to the following address:

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Attn: Docketing Division
Case Number: 08-0072-GA-AIR
180 E. Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

We need more SolSil Plants in the Ohio Valley

October14, 2008

From the Marietta, Ohio Times
The proposed location of a new 150,000-square-foot, high-purity silicon production facility in Waterford Township by Solsil Inc. is great news for Janee Pugh of Waterford.
"It sounds fabulous to me; we're losing jobs faster than we can bring new ones in. We need good-paying jobs," she said.
"I also have two sons in their early 20s. One is in college, and the other works for a printing company, but they both could use a good job," Pugh added.
Solsil, a subsidiary of Globe Specialty Metals, Inc., produces silicon that is used in photovoltaic solar cells.
In August it was learned that the company is considering a 47-acre site along Wells Road in Waterford Township to build the $56 million project that would provide 350 jobs within its first three years of operation.
Since then, state and local officials have been working to make the proposed facility a reality for Ohio. On Sept. 29, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher announced approval of a $10 million low-interest loan package by the state Development Financing Advisory Council.
"It's looking good, and the project's still not finalized, but we're getting closer," said Mike Jacoby, executive director of the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority.
"Our next step is for the state Controlling Board to sign off on the deal, but that's more of a formality," he said. "If we've made it to this stage, I don't expect any difficulties.
"After the board approval, we have to close on the deal, but it's my belief that (Solsil) has every intention of doing this project," Jacoby added.
A local tax incentive financing package is also being assembled, but has not been completed yet.
"But that process is not as time-sensitive as the state financing," Jacoby said.
He said Solsil is negotiating a 20-year lease with the Southeastern Ohio Port Authority for the manufacturing, warehouse, office and laboratory complex.
Jacoby noted that Globe Specialty Metals, headquartered in New York, is also planning to reopen a similar Solsil production facility in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Solsil supplies silicon to manufacturers of silicon ingots, wafers and solar photovoltaic cells that are used to generate electricity from sunlight.
Globe Specialty Metals acquired 81 percent of Solsil in January. Globe is among the world's largest producers of metallurgical and chemical-grade silicon, with more than 40 years experience in silicon manufacturing.
In 2006, the company bought Globe Metallurgical Inc., headquartered in Beverly. Globe Metallurgical is the largest silicon metal manufacturer in North America and the largest specialty ferroalloy manufacturer in the U.S.
Solsil Inc. currently has its main offices and operations in a portion of the Globe Metallurgical facility in Beverly.
ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.org/electspisak.tripod.com

For now, for future, lead energy crusade

October 16, 2008


In Monday's Editorial, The Des Moines Register wrote "For today's America, continued reliance on oil, some of it imported from unstable regimes, increases the risk of economic disruption, terrorism and war. For generations unborn, continued reliance on oil and its sister fossil fuels threatens the cataclysmic consequences of an altered climate, triggering flooding, drought and hunger.
Yet from this peril emerges great promise: The nation that develops the successors to fossil fuels will become the economic leader of the 21st century and could usher in the possibility of a more prosperous, peaceful world…
Commit to increasing energy efficiency, developing affordable plug-in hybrid or electric cars, tapping wind and solar energy to produce electricity cleanly and setting up a system that will cap greenhouse-gas pollutants and create a market for trading emission rights…
Increase national security today by lessening oil dependence and will begin confronting the greatest scientific and technical challenge in the history of mankind."
That is what this race for 6th District Congress comes down to. Incumbent Charlie Wilson wants to continue using fossil fuels like coal to keep America behind with 19th century technology.
Green Candidate Dennis Spisak wants renewable energy manufacturing plants and companies to help create new jobs for the poor, working, and middle class. He wants to end our dependence on fossil fuels.
The question to be answered on November 4th is what path you want the 6th district to take for the future?
ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.org/electspisak.tripod.com

Apollo Energy Program Rolls Into Ohio, Where was Charlie Wilson?

October 15, 2008


COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Phil Angelides, the chairman of the Apollo Alliance, pulled into Ohio's capital early last week to "raise the banner of The New Apollo Program," and called the organization's 10-year, $500 billion plan a "sweeping investment program to put Americans back to work."
Moments later Ohio's Democratic Governor Ted Strickland declared his unqualified support for the plan. "If we do what The New Apollo Program encourages the next president and Congress to do we will see a renaissance in America's and Ohio's economy. I am happy to do what we can as Buckeyes to facilitate this effort."
Representative Jay Inslee, a Democrat of Washington State, who is helping us roll out The New Apollo Program in Seattle on Friday, also attended the event here. His view: Ohio is a logical place for clean energy investment. The state uses more energy than all but five other states. It just approved a renewable energy standard for state utilities, and enjoys robust capacity in its agricultural, research, industrial, and manufacturing sectors. Those are the building blocks of a clean energy sector. Ohio also has history, reflected in the inventiveness of Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers, who were born and raised in Ohio, and characterized by the courage of John Glenn and Neil Armstrong, two more native Ohioans.
"This is the place for The New Apollo Program, and the time for Apollo," said Inslee. "Some may not think this is the time for bold ideas. But this is exactly the time. These are the moments that see the United States rally around optimism and confidence. The New Apollo Program is the perfect challenge because it attacks the thing that challenges us right now, our fear and our confidence."
The nation's economy and the federal credit bailout were very much on the minds of journalists and union members who attended the event, which was held at the IBEW Training Center on Goodale Boulevard. Angelides addressed the point directly. "If we can afford $85 billion to rescue AIG," he said, "we can afford $50 billion a year to put our own people back to work."
Phil added: "There is every reason to believe that Ohio can be at the forefront of these investment dollars. We think if we do this right, Ohio can create 400,000 green collar jobs."
Indeed, unemployment is rising in Ohio, and currently sits at 7.4 percent, a 1.7 percent increase since 2007 and the highest it has been in the last decade. That means that over 444,000 Ohio workers are currently without jobs. Ohio lost almost 7,000 jobs just in the month of August, and a total of 90,000 jobs have been lost since last year. Manufacturing has been hit the hardest - Ohio lost over 15,000 manufacturing jobs in the last 12 months. Additionally, over 5,900 construction jobs were lost over the past year.
Still, there are bright spots. The U.S. Conference of Mayors estimates that there are currently 16,884 green jobs in Ohio. These jobs are focused on renewable energy, biofuels, and energy efficiency. They include jobs in the renewable power, agriculture, engineering, research, manufacturing, construction, and government sectors.
· A $500 billion federal investment in clean energy would generate an additional $233 billion in ongoing economic stimulus (GDP, personal income, and retail sales).
· Of the $500 billion federal investment, $22 billion would go to Ohio.
· A $22 billion federal investment in Ohio would create 155,899 direct, permanent jobs over 10 years, including:
o 42,855 on-site manufacturing jobs
o 17,756 on-site construction jobs
o 4,265 transportation jobs
A broader calculation takes into account not only direct jobs, but also indirect and induced jobs created. These include jobs such as materials transportation, retail sales, business services, accounting, and other support services.
Calculating the broader employment impacts, based on data from the Center for American Progress:
· Start with a proposal to invest $100 billion over 2 years, with a $3.66 billion federal investment in Ohio. Scaled up to meet our proposal of a $500 billion federal investment over 10 years, this would mean a federal investment of $18.3 billion in Ohio.
· This $18.3 billion federal investment would result in a total of 401,800 direct, indirect, and induced jobs in Ohio over 10 years.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2008

Where was Charlie Wilson? Oh, Because Coal and Fossil Fuels were not mentioned, Charlie's coal lobbyists probably told him to stay home or in Florida.
ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.org/electspisak.tripod.com

Charlie Wilson does not deserve Re-election to Congress


October 14, 2008

When asked by the Athens News Are you satisfied that the federal bailout of the financial industry contains enough protections for the working people, taxpayers and homeowners? If not, what change would you like to see to the package? Charlie Wilson answered:
Wilson: "Doing nothing was not an option, but we did not rubber-stamp the Administration's three-page proposal." Congress worked to protect the taxpayers so that every dollar loaned to the financial sector would be recovered, Wilson said. "I'm proud I took a tough vote to help stabilize our economy. I believe that Congress' action will eventually help free up credit and ensure small business viability." The bill also included tax incentives for alternative energies that should create jobs.
What Charlie Wilson failed to mention is that because the bailout includes billions of dollars in tax breaks for old-fashioned fossil-fuel processes such as liquefying coal and squeezing petroleum out of sand and rock his vote placed these add-ons that will cost taxpayers more than $100 billion. "Thank Charlie Wilson for costing the taxpayers more money for this bailout."
Incumbent Congressman Charlie Wilson is partly responsible for this current economic depression/crisis/and bailout that has ruined our country. He does not deserve re-election to Congress.


ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio

Area Residents want a cleaner, brighter energy future

October 13, 2008


This is a letter I received last week from an area voter who wants to see a cleaner, brighter energy future:

October 9, 2008

Dennis Spisak
548 Poland Avenue
Struthers, OH 44471


Dear Mr. Spisak:

I am writing to ask your support for an energy policy that will provide a
cleaner, greener, and more competitive economy for our children's future.
Climate change is a serious concern for me and I urge you to support an
energy policy that will:

INVEST IN CLEAN ENERGY. Critical to any serious energy policy, wind and
solar energy represent homegrown sources of electricity that can do the
job now. We need to extend tax credits for wind and solar project for ten
years and build the infrastructure to get power from where it is produced
to our population centers.

MAKE CARS CLEANER. We need to increase the corporate average fuel economy
to 60 MPG and create strong incentives for consumers to buy plug-in
hybrids.

BUILD EFFICIENT BUILDINGS. Invest in making existing buildings use half
of the energy they use now and move to zero-emissions for new buildings. A
2007 report by the US Department of Energy found that energy efficiency
measures can reduce our nation's energy demand growth by 50 percent by
2025. More ambitious studies by the Rocky Mountain Institute report we
can achieve 75 percent by 2020.

CREATE GREEN JOBS. Implementing these recommendations will create
thousands of good jobs in the United States which cannot be outsourced.
Buildings can't be made efficient by workers overseas, solar energy can't
be outsourced, and all Americans benefit when a clean energy policy
delivers jobs, energy security, and a clean environment all at once.

LEAD LARGE-SCALE, RAPID DEPLOYMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY. States,
businesses and homeowners need a rapid expansion of renewable energy and
energy efficiency projects. This will not be possible unless the federal
government leads the way, providing infrastructure and investment
opportunities commensurate with the scale needed to stop the climate
crises.

STOP DRILLING OFF THE COAST. America's coastlines and protected areas
should remain pristine and accessible to all. Subsidies should be
transitioned from the oil and gas industry to renewable energy and the
green jobs it brings.

NO NEW COAL PLANTS. From carbon dioxide to mercury emissions, coal is the
number one polluter in this country. It is time to confront the climate
crises, scrap our plans for new coal plants, and instead invest in energy
efficiency and renewable energy.

NO LOAN GUARANTEES FOR NUCLEAR PLANTS. Nuclear power has not proven
itself to be a sound investment without government-backed loan guarantees.
Now is not the time a new generation of risky nuclear power plants. We
can get our energy from cleaner sources which do not produce radioactive
waste and threaten our communities.

Now is the time to support energy legislation that will solve the climate
crises, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, revitalize our economy, and
create good jobs in America. I hope I can count on your support.


As Green Party Candidate for Congress, you can count on my support.


Dennis Spisak

Dear Charlie Wilson: 5 Dirty Aspects of "Clean Coal"
Clean coal has been getting a lot of attention lately. Congressman Wilson considers it to be an important piece in his energy plans. Even the recent $900 billion bailout package included $1.5 billion for clean coal. Because coal is so plentiful and relatively cheap in the US, the notion of clean coal is particularly appealing. Unfortunately, clean coal is a myth.
Here's why clean coal is so dirty:
1. Clean Coal Requires More Coal
30% more energy is required to pump carbon underground for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). The captured carbon dioxide has to be compressed to 100 times the atmospheric pressure, transferred to an underground storage reservoir and then pumped in the ground. All of this requires large amounts of energy, thus the coal plant must burn an additional 30% more coal to generate the same amount of usable electricity.

2. High Expenses Make It Unfeasible
$5.2 billion in taxpayer money has been spent to foster this technology in the US, yet the results are dismal. A recent government report found that of the 13 projects examined, eight had extended delays or financial problems, six were years behind schedule, and two had gone bankrupt.
3. Commercial Carbon Capture Unlikely by 2020-Sorry Wellsville Plant
A study from Australian energy consultancy ACIL Talisman states that CCS will not be available in the short-term to generate electricity with low carbon emissions and that technology breakthroughs are still needed to make this technology feasible. The study does however find that concentrated solar, geothermal, and wind energy already are or will be in commercial use by 2020.
4. Unproven Technology
No commercial scale examples exist. The FutureGen plant in Illinois was to be the showcase for clean coal technology. A total of $50 million was spent, $40 million of which was federal funded. The price tag for the $1.8 billion plant had nearly doubled. The government pulled support for the project due to concern that costs would continue to climb.
5. Coal Mining is Very Harmful
The US averages 30 coal mining deaths annually, while China averages a staggering 8,000. Mountaintop removal mining, a method that is common in Appalachia, destroys ecosystems and has permanently buried over 1,200 miles of streams. Coal mining causes water pollution and lowers the quality of drinking water in neighboring communities. Unfortunately, clean coal technology does not address the many negative impacts of coal mining and could even require large amounts of coal to be mined because of the additional energy needed to sequester carbon emissions.

Sorry, Charlie. Clean coal is a myth. That's why we need a congressman in Washington who believes in real renewable energy resources for the 21st Century. This is why Charlie Wilson should not be re-elected on November 4th.
ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.org/electspisak.tripod.com

Manufacturing an Economy that Works for Working Americans

October 10, 2008



For years, conservatives have kowtowed to the heads of big corporations, who want trade deals that pave the way for them to move manufacturing operations overseas--at tremendous cost to American workers and our economy. John McCain wants to continue this trend, vowing to "remove barriers to free trade," even though a majority of Americans view foreign trade as a threat to our economy, according to a CNN poll. Progressives can offer Americans the choice they want by securing America's place in the global economy through fair trade and a revitalization of America's critical manufacturing sector.* Manufacturing continues to play an essential role in the American economy. Nearly 10 percent of America's workers are employed in the manufacturing sector; of those, nine percent are scientists and engineers. The manufacturing sector is responsible for more than 12 percent of America's gross domestic product and pays for approximately 60 percent of the research and development work that has made America a technological leader. Sources * American manufacturing workers are strong, but conservatives have made America's trade policies weak. American manufacturing workers are among the most productive in the world, with the world's second-highest rate of output per hour. * Conservative trade policies harm America's workers. America's trade deficit has increased steadily during the Bush Administration. Now America's deficit in manufactured goods alone costs us nearly $1 million every minute. Even when employers don't leave the country, just threatening to leave cuts a union organizing campaign's chances of success in half, leading to lower wages and fewer benefits. * Allowing our competitors to get away with low-road labor practices hurts workers in America. For every dollar an American manufacturing worker is paid, a worker in Mexico is paid 12 cents and one in Hong Kong makes just 24 cents. The U.S. has much smaller trade deficits with countries that have strong labor standards. The Progressive Solution To build an economy that works for working Americans, we must ensure that America continues to be a global leader in innovative manufacturing, and that our workforce is secure. We can achieve this goal by investing in the next generation of renewable and efficient energy technologies to create millions of green-collar jobs and capture the global "green market." We must also empower workers to organize and develop a public social compact that includes universal health care, a national pension system, and mandated family leave to replace the private compact that has been shredded by corporations and conservatives. Finally, we must demand that mercantilist nations like China also lift up their workers and end their unfair trade practices, or pay the price.
ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.org/electspisak.tripod.com

Green Economy Will Rebound Faster From Financial Turmoil

October 9, 2008
Written by Reenita Malhotra
The green economy shows signs of rebounding faster than others shaken by the global financial turmoil. There are several indicators pointing to the fact.
Government Guaranteed Revenues for Large Renewable Energy Players
Unlike other industries, renewable energy has government-guaranteed revenues. However it is likely that as the credit crunch plays out, the re-bounders will be big utilities who are not reliant on banks for short term loans rather than start-ups who do.
"Even if utilities do have to borrow, they can do so cheaply as government-regulated businesses with guaranteed rates of return which can pass on costs to consumers", said analyst Pavel Mulchanov at Raymond James & Associates in Houston who hints that the larger wind and solar companies might be recession proof even though their stocks have been yo-yo-ing.
Tax Credits For Wind and Solar Energy Industries
The highly contentious $700 billion bailout was finally signed into law on October 3rd after a series of revisions. Known officially as the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, it includes production and investment tax credits for the wind and solar energy industries. About 60,000 Americans are already employed by the solar energy industry, the extension of tax credits will further help to create thousands of jobs while providing clean, affordable, carbon-free energy to citizens. Clearly a win-win situation.
4.2 Million Green Jobs by 2038
According to a study released last week for the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the U.S. economy now has about 750,000 green jobs that include renewable energy or green engineering, legal or research support. As the economy recovers and focuses on developing energy efficiency and alternative fuels, it can generate 4.2 million new "green" jobs in the next 30 years.
Non Green Companies Weigh In: Google Unveils a Plan For Cleaner Energy
Google Inc. has decided to fund green technology and leverage its brand power to lobby for policy change. The world famous web search company plans to wean the United States off burning coal and oil for power by 2030, and cut oil use for cars by 40 percent. That will cost trillions of dollars, but Google believes it should ultimately save money.
What will the U.S. Economy look like in the foreseeable future? Are we entering a green revolution? Did we actually manage to achieve more than a $700 billion bailout for the environment over the long term?

ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.org/electspisak.tripod.com

Clean Energy can power economy and jobs

October 8, 2008

As the Green Party Candidate for Congress in the 6th District, again I ask, why can't this type of green energy production be used to return the 6th district to economic prosperity?

Is it because current Congressman Charlie Wilson is being held back by the coal lobbyists who gave him $18,000 over the past two years?


New Study Finds That Clean-Energy Industry Can Power Northwest Economy, Job Creation, and Carbon Reduction

Report Finds Potential for 63,000 New Jobs in Oregon and Washington
Clean Edge and Climate Solutions' Carbon-Free Prosperity 2025

Portland, Ore./ Seattle, Wash. -- October 6, 2008 -- A new study concludes that five emerging clean-tech industry sectors offer the Pacific Northwest one of the best opportunities for sustained economic vitality and job growth. It also charts the course for private and public investment and leadership to capitalize on the opportunity.

Carbon-Free Prosperity 2025 is produced by two leading clean-tech organizations -- research and publishing firm Clean Edge and research and advocacy organization Climate Solutions. The study provides a comprehensive look at emerging green industries that are projected to provide high-paying jobs and a vital new economic base for the region. It provides a grounded and realistic view of the region's potential role in an increasingly competitive global clean-tech industry. The report can be downloaded at www.cleanedge.com and www.climatesolutions.org.

The study focuses on five clean-energy sectors that provide the best opportunities for Oregon and Washington to build a leadership position in intellectual capital and job creation. They are:

• Solar PV Manufacturing, which is projected to provide up to 22,560 new jobs in the region by 2025;
• Wind Power Development, expected to reach up to 6,000 new jobs;
• Green Building Design Services, creator of up to 16,834 new jobs;
• Sustainable Bioenergy, which could account for 10,419 new jobs; and
• Smart-Grid Technologies, an industry that could create up to 7,000 new jobs.

In all, the study find these industries have the potential to create more than 63,000 new jobs in the Pacific Northwest by 2025 -- a figure that matches the employment in Silicon Forest during its height as a chip manufacturing center. The growth of these clean-tech sectors would position the region as a leader in the dramatic global shift toward cleaner and more efficient forms of energy, transportation, and building systems that reduce pollution and reliance on volatile imported fossil fuels.

The report provides an objective accounting of the region's assets and challenges, and provides a 10-point action plan for Oregon and Washington that includes:

• Limiting and reducing global warming pollution by putting a price on carbon;
• Ramping up public investment in clean technology funds;
• Passing leading edge green building codes;
• Deploying clean energy workforce development strategies;
• Providing effective clean energy tax credits;
• Building a 21st century smart grid.

"Clean energy is increasingly identified as the sector with the largest growth potential in the U.S. economy, and offers the best promise of meeting the twin challenges of economic and environmental decline," said Ron Pernick, Clean Edge cofounder and managing director and report coauthor. "This report is a case study for how the Pacific Northwest region can seize a leadership role in the clean-tech economy."

Carbon-Free Prosperity 2025 lauds the Pacific Northwest for its green lifestyle, proactive policies, strong natural resource base, and abundant cheap electricity as attributes that give the region a head start in the quest for a strong clean-energy economy. But the report also urges action on cultivating more venture capital in the region, updating energy grid infrastructure, grooming managerial talent for growing clean-tech companies, and developing a comprehensive economic-development strategy for the region.

"To spark a real economic recovery, we need to repower America, and this region should be at the forefront," said Rhys Roth, Climate Solutions' Director of Strategic Innovation. "This report is a blueprint for how the region can become a global leader in clean technology - creating family-supporting jobs, regaining control of our energy future, and delivering real climate solutions."

The study is based on interviews with more than 50 industry, financial, and policy experts in the Northwest, and leverages proprietary Clean Edge data on market sizing, employment figures, and other key market factors.

About Clean Edge
Clean Edge, Inc., with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and Portland, is a leading research and publishing firm that helps companies, investors, and policymakers understand and profit from clean technologies. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge and its network of partners and affiliates offer unparalleled intelligence and insight into the clean-tech sector. Among its many activities, the company publishes the annual Clean Energy Trends report, produces the annual Clean-Tech Investor Summit (along with IBF), and maintains a number of clean-energy stock indexes. To keep abreast of the latest clean-tech news, access industry reports, learn more about the company's annual summit, or sign up for Clean Edge's free e-newsletter, visit www.cleanedge.com.

About Climate Solutions
Climate Solutions is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to accelerate practical and profitable solutions to global warming by galvanizing leadership, growing investment, and bridging divides in the Pacific Northwest. Since its inception in 1998, Climate Solutions has been the foremost champion of Northwest climate and clean energy leadership that generates economic opportunities for Northwest businesses and workers. Working with a broad array of partners from business, rural, government, and the public-interest community, Climate Solutions helps to advance a new sustainable prosperity in the Northwest that accelerates the technologies, policies, and enterprises that can deliver climate solutions to the world. Climate Solutions has offices in Seattle, Olympia, Portland and Missoula. To learn more, visit www.climatesolutions.org.

ELECT!!!!
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Solar Power/Wind Power/Geothermal Energy

Send Campaign Contributions to:

Spisak for Congress
548 Poland Ave
Struthers, Ohio 44471

Campaign donations are not tax-deductible.

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.org/electspisak.tripod.com