"Our nation can no longer afford the toll dirty energy is exacting on our environment and economy," said Michele Fisher, Environment Associate with Environment Ohio. "Clean energy can protect our environment and rev our economic engine to generate a brighter future for Ohio."

The report and its recommendations were well received by Ohio’s local, state, and national leaders.

"It is clear that our country should move away from foreign sources of energy and increase our domestic production of alternative renewable power. I am proud that innovators throughout our region are developing the next generation of clean, American made energy and paving the way for energy independence," said Congresswoman Sutton (OH-13). "This is the kind of innovation and growth that will create good-paying green jobs, help protect our environment and bring renewed economic vitality to our region."

"To be successful, the Economic Stimulus package must be a sound investment in our future. This means that funding for projects that conserve energy, promote alternative fuels and clean our environment must be a priority. "Green" jobs can’t be outsourced, and Ohio can be a leader in this area," confirmed Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic. "I have pledged to work with Governor Strickland to insure that Ohio and its cities receive a fair share of funds and that they are invested wisely."

Environment Ohio’s proposals have the potential to meet the bulk of President-elect Obama’s goal of creating or sustaining nearly 3 million jobs and will help the President-elect fulfill his promise to reduce the nation’s oil dependence, according to the analysis.

Among the recommendations in the report are weatherizing U.S. homes and businesses, training workers for new, clean energy industries, and increasing public transportation capacity to meet rapidly growing demand. Many Akron-area companies and projects can be part of this green economic recovery plan.

"The U.S. has the opportunity to achieve a worldwide leadership position on what may well be the next Industrial Revolution," stated Mark Terzola, Vice President of Rexorce Thermionics, a cutting-edge, Akron-based clean energy company. "But to do that, Congress must realize that it is an investment into a clean energy economy that provides the largest dollar for dollar return when measured by any metric, particularly, sustainable job creation."

Companies like Rexorce Thermionic, Jennings Heating and The Energy Factory, and dozens of others across the state are gearing up to be part of the clean energy solution.

"Jennings Heating has been in the energy business for over 70 years, and we have been and continue to be successful because we help people find the best answer to their energy needs, not the familiar one," stated Mike Foraker, CEO of Jennings Heating and The Energy Factory. "I hope that Congress will look to green energy solutions as well," concluded Foraker.

In addition to the private sector, the City of Akron has also identified a number of "shovel-ready" green economic development projects.

Paula Davis, President and CEO of Keep Akron Beautiful reinforced the impacts of a federal green economic recovery plan here at the local level. "Already Keep Akron Beautiful has shared a number of green successes, with various city departments working to change policies and taking action to reduce the effects of global warming over the next 5 to 20 years. A federal green economic recovery plan is essential to the implementation of the Greenprint for Akron Plan which will make our community stronger, healthier and a better place to live."

The call for a green economic stimulus plan was echoed by Ohio’s congressional members across the region.

"In the coming weeks, we will be working to revive our economy. That includes making Ohio and the nation more energy independent while creating good-paying jobs at the same time," said Congressman Boccieri (OH-16). "We must adopt a forward-looking agenda by reinvigorating our manufacturing economy. That will help to create green jobs that cannot be outsourced. Ohio is primed to be part of this solution. We need to create an Apollo program that would revolutionize our energy sources and free us from our dependence on foreign oil, support fuel cell research at Stark State, invest in emerging technologies like plug-in hybrid cars that are being researched at the EBO Group in Medina County, support agriculture as Ohio’s number one industry with research being conducted at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wayne County, and invest in sustainable biofuels that can be grown out of Ashland County. We must invest in clean, renewable energy and provide incentives for businesses to invest in the same."

"If we continue with business as usual * dirty energy and highways to nowhere * we will be laying the groundwork for decades of increased global warming pollution," said Fisher. "Green infrastructure means more and better jobs now, as well as less global warming pollution, fewer asthma attacks from air pollution, more clean lakes and rivers for drinking water, swimming and fishing, and more secure energy in the long term," she added.

"That’s why we are calling on President-elect Obama and the new Congress to keep it clean and pass a green recovery plan for a cleaner safer stronger America," concluded Fisher.

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