We Can Lead Business Leaders Applaud Leadership of Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman in Moving Comprehensive Energy and Climate Legislation Forward

WASHINGTON, March 22 /PRNewswire/ --  We Can Lead, a coalition of over 150 business leaders from 30 states around the country, applauded the continued leadership of Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) in advancing a pragmatic, bipartisan energy and climate bill.  

"Climate change is a problem we must deal with, and the longer we delay, the more it will cost. That is why Exelon commends Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman for their leadership in developing a truly bipartisan bill to address our nation's energy security and climate challenges," said John W. Rowe, chairman and CEO of Exelon. "Until Congress passes comprehensive climate legislation, American companies will face a carbon purgatory - they will lack the legislative and regulatory certainty they need to start making the substantial investments required to transition to a low-carbon future. We look forward to working with the sponsors to enact legislation that is good for the planet and the economy."

"This bipartisan initiative is the most significant step forward we've seen," said David Crane, President and CEO of NRG Energy, which owns and operates more than 23,000 megawatts of electricity generation capacity in the U.S. "It represents real progress in moving us closer to achieving true energy independence and fostering a cleaner and more secure future, all while creating new jobs and revitalizing America's core businesses."

"These Senators have shown an unwavering commitment to crafting a bipartisan solution to ensure that the U.S. remains competitive in the global race for a new energy economy," said Martin Lagod, Managing Director at Firelake Capital.  "We are encouraged by the momentum and are pleased that through their leadership we are beginning to advance a real dialog about our energy future."  

"For companies like SynGest to accelerate the development and deployment of our clean energy process for making nitrogen fertilizer from biomass, it will require a clear price signal that rewards clean energy innovation," said Jack Oswald, CEO of SynGest Inc. "The leadership of Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman is critical to our success in bringing new energy technology to scale and creating new American jobs."

"In our experience, climate action provides jobs and economic opportunity, so we need Congress to act now," said Gary Hirshberg, President and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm.  "America needs to get in the game now, with the right policies, or we'll find ourselves sitting on the sidelines.  We appreciate the efforts of Senators Kerry, Graham, and Lieberman to move the ball downfield."

About We Can Lead

We Can Lead is a coalition of more than 150 business leaders - innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, manufacturers and energy providers -from 30 states across the country who support comprehensive, forward-looking energy and climate policies in the United States.  Sound energy policies are our best hope towards reclaiming America's competitive mantle as leaders in this next wave of economic growth - while working on climate stability and energy security. Now is the time for action.

We Can Lead advocates for passage of comprehensive legislation that includes a price on carbon to spur American innovation, unleash U.S. investment, create millions of new jobs, restore America's competitiveness and provide for economic and national security.

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

SOURCE We Can Lead