Gov. Ritter Challenges Gov. Patrick to an Arm Wrestling Match Over Energy Independence

To: POLITICAL EDITORS

Contact: Toby Chaudhuri or Noreen Nielsen, both of the Apollo Alliance, +1-202-955-5665

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Gov. Bill Ritter, D-Colo., challenged Gov. Deval Patrick, D-Mass., to an arm wrestling match over creating a new generation of jobs in their state this morning at a gathering of business, environmental and labor leaders in Washington. The meeting, called the Apollo Summit, was convened by nearly 200 community leaders to create a strategy to promote clean energy solutions that create good jobs in America.

Gov. Patrick, who spoke before Gov. Ritter, outlined Massachusetts’ goal to attract companies working to build a green economy.

“I don’t just want wind farms. I want companies that build turbines. I want hybrid vehicle companies to consult us on conservation strategies. I want companies that design solar panels. The whole integrated industry can have a place in Massachusetts and in the U.S.,” said Gov. Patrick. “If we get this right, the whole world will be our customer.”

When Gov. Ritter heard Gov. Patrick’s remarks he made it clear that his state would compete for those same jobs, noting that investing in clean energy will provide good jobs.

“Gov. Patrick talks about bringing jobs to Massachusetts. We’re going to arm wrestle you for those jobs because we want those same manufacturing plants,” said Gov. Ritter. “We want to be the vertical part of the industry. It’s a good thing to have two governors competing for those jobs, competing in this industry to build out the turbines, competing to have the wind farms located in their state. That’s the right way for us to think about it.”

Apollo Alliance president Jerome Ringo, whose organization sponsored the summit, introduced the governors and announced that his group plans to make energy independence a key issue in the presidential campaigns.

“We are here to go beyond our institutional identities, to build a transformational movement that will build a new energy future and change America,” said Ringo. “We’re going to make energy independence a key issue in the presidential campaigns. We’re going to evaluate every major energy plan and dramatically increase our field mobilization on this issue.”

“Governors have wrestled with creating a clean energy economy for years. Now they’re arm wrestling with it in the national political ring,” said Toby Chaudhuri, Apollo Alliance communications director.

NOTE: Video of the governors’ comments are available at http:// www.apolloalliance.org. High resolution versions are available upon request.

SOURCE Apollo Alliance

(c) 2007 U.S. Newswire. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.