Labor And Environmental Leaders Join Forces To Fight For Energey Independence

WASHINGTON - In honor of the Fourth of July holiday, labor unions and environmental groups have come together to fight for energy independence through the Apollo Alliance by declaring this Independence Day, "Energy Independence Day."

"We all know America is facing a growing addiction to oil that is hurting our security, our economy and our environment," said Jerome Ringo, president of the Apollo Alliance. "It's time for the public to send a message to our leaders in Washington that we need a national commitment to energy independence and good American jobs.  It's time to declare this Independence Day 'Energy Independence Day.' There's no better way to celebrate this July 4."

The Apollo Alliance has a 10-step national agenda to create energy independence by the year 2015. The alliance represents a coalition of national security, labor, environmental, civil rights and business leaders who are fighting for energy independence from foreign energy sources. It unites nearly 16 million union members and 11 million environmental organization members across the country. 

Michigan labor and environmental leaders joined together last week to launch a new coalition - the Michigan Apollo Alliance - to urge state leaders and lawmakers to take the lead on clean energy by developing new technologies that can improve the environment while also creating good paying jobs.

On Saturday afternoon, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak donned a colonial-style coat and tri-cornered hat to sign a Declaration of Energy Independence. The ceremony was part of Energy Independence Day, organized by the Green Institute, a Minneapolis environmental organization.

Last month, actor and environmentalist Robert Redford joined Ringo at the Campaign for America's Future's annual "Take Back America" conference to launch the "Apollo Challenge," a national campaign to inspire citizens to rise up and encourage elected officials to end our nation's addiction to oil and create 3 million good jobs.

Thousands of Americans have already signed the "Apollo Challenge" pledging to challenge our country's leaders to empower America within the decade by kicking the oil habit, harnessing clean, homegrown energy sources, saving energy with high performance buildings and cities, and creating 3 million good, clean energy jobs.

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