Over 170 U.S. Companies Call on Senators To Get Energy and Climate Legislation 'Back on Track'

WASHINGTON, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Over 170 businesses from around the country sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Reid and his Senate colleagues today calling on the Senate to continue working to enact comprehensive climate and energy legislation this year. The letter was brought together by the We Can Lead coalition, a project of the Clean Economy Network (CEN) and Ceres.

Signatories to the letter include Exelon, Nike, Virgin America, PG&E and eBay, along with representatives from the new energy economy.  The letter comes just days after a temporary delay of the introduction of the legislative language by Senators Kerry, Graham, and Lieberman. Business leaders are urging all Senators to get comprehensive energy and climate legislation "back on track" in order to spur a new energy economy, boost energy independence and decrease carbon emissions.

"Today, the United States is falling behind in the global race to lead the next global industrial revolution. US businesses need strong policies and clear market signals to deploy capital, harness innovative technologies, and compete in the global marketplace," the letter states.  "Every day the Senate fails to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation is a day our economy falls another step behind and delays our ability to create millions of new American jobs.  America's energy future is not a partisan issue.  Now is the time to bring the parties together and finish what we started."

The letter was signed by 175 businesses from some of the nation's largest electric power, manufacturing, clean tech, technology and consumer facing companies.  To view the full text and the broad list of business support for action, please go to: www.wecanlead.org/actnow

About We Can Lead

We Can Lead is sponsored by the Clean Economy Network and Ceres' Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP).  For more on We Can Lead, visit www.wecanlead.org

The Clean Economy Network, Inc. (CEN) is the largest national membership-based networking, educational, and advocacy organization shaping a new economy based on clean technology and innovation. Our members are professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers who connect to each other, learn information relevant to business and professional growth, and influence public policies that impact the clean economy.

Ceres is the largest coalition of investors, environmental and public interest organizations in North America. Ceres launched the BICEP coalition, whose members include Levi Strauss & Co., Nike, Starbucks, Best Buy Co., Inc., Sun Microsystems, The Timberland Company, Aspen Skiing Company, Clif Bar & Company, eBay, Gap Inc., Jones Lang LaSalle, The North Face, Seventh Generation, Ben and Jerry's, Eileen Fisher, Stonyfield Farm Inc., and Symantec.

SOURCE We Can Lead