Washingtonians featured in project highlighting “Voices for 100% Renewable Energy”

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Environment Washington

For more information: Anna Hofmann – (202) 461-2453

Today, Environment Washington announced two Washington residents as leading voices for clean energy. The Washingtonians are profiled in a national project,  Voices for 100% Renewable Energy, featuring photos, testimonials, and videos from a wide array of individuals from across America – from academics, to mayors and other public officials, to community leaders, to business and non-profit leaders – embracing a massive transition to clean energy.

Washingtonians featured in the project include Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Denis Hayes, President of the Bullitt Foundation.

“We’re inspired by people like Congresswoman Jayapal and Denis Hayes, who know we can, and must, shift to 100 percent renewable energy,” said Rob Sargent, Energy Program Director with Environment America. “We’re thrilled to share some of their stories through this project. Our hope is that it will motivate the many folks who know we need a swift, steady, and complete transition from dirty to clean energy to lean into the effort.”  

The people featured in the project cited a range of environmental, economic, equity, social, and health benefits from the transition to 100 percent renewable energy. Most focused on the urgent need to eliminate climate-altering carbon pollution. Others simply believe that it’s common sense and good economics to save energy and to harness unlimited, pollution-free energy sources.   

Congresswoman Jayapal says, “We have the real solutions. 100 percent renewable energy is a call to invest in our future. It is a movement for a better tomorrow. That is why I am an original co-sponsor for the 100 by ‘50 Act, a roadmap to take on climate change and transition away from fossil fuels to 100 percent clean and renewable energy by 2050. We can accelerate this emerging transition by making direct investments in climate resiliency solutions led by communities on the frontlines of climate change. We can invest in our workforce to ensure that, as we transition to 100% renewables, we are creating high-paying union jobs that will allow workers to provide for their families and retire with dignity. We must provide worker retraining and robust apprenticeship opportunities to equip our workforce with the knowledge and skills to succeed in this new economy.”

Denis Hayes, president of the Bullitt Foundation, says, “Getting the last couple of percent from the sun is not without its challenges—but they are manageable.  The most important are storage, especially seasonal storage—my tentative bet is still on hydrogen; long distance transmission that is safe, aesthetic, and resilient; and smart grids that interact with smart buildings and smart transportation systems.”

“For years, we’ve been told that pollution from dirty fuels was the price we had to pay for progress,” said Anna Hofmann, a clean energy associate working with Environment Washington. “Those days are over. My confidence that we can make the shift to clean renewable energy has been boosted by the conversations I’ve had with so many people we’ve profiled in the Voices for 100% Renewable project.”

To view Voices for 100% Renewable Energy, go to www.100percentrenewable.org.