Energy In the News

Instead of engaging in the shadowy campaign to open up our shores to oil drilling (Campaign to drill off Florida's coast has cash, confidence, Sept. 2 front page), our leaders should push for cleaner, greener alternatives that create jobs and address our reliance on fossil fuels.

Clean energy and efficiency should be the driving force behind Florida's economic recovery. We can repower Florida by putting thousands to work at green jobs that can't be outsourced: weatherizing homes, building efficient new buildings and installing and servicing solar panels.

According to a National Resources Defense Council report, 94,500 clean energy jobs will be created in Florida as a result of the U.S. House American Clean Energy and Security Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act combined. Investing in clean, green jobs will provide thousands of Floridians with work and solve our dependence on fossil fuels.

The U.S. Senate companion to the American Clean Energy and Security Act is our best bet to jump-start our clean energy revolution. Sens. George LeMieux and Bill Nelson should lead the charge to pass it this fall.

SARAH BUCCI, Environment Florida organizer, Miami Beach