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January 29, 2008 - Americans for Energy Independence (ei2025) announced today that it would be merging with the Apollo Alliance to further their shared goals of reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, cutting global warming pollution and seeding the clean energy economy. The merger underscores how a new constituency is coming together to usher in a new energy economy.
“The Apollo Alliance fundamentally believes that a clean energy economy that frees us from dangerous dependence on oil will only be possible if Americans come together to make it happen,” stated Phil Angelides, former California State Treasurer and Chairman of the Apollo Alliance. “We are honored to welcome ei2025’s grassroots leaders, and we look forward to working together to usher in a new generation of clean energy technologies and green-collar jobs.”
Back in 2004, when both the Apollo Alliance and ei2025 were founded, neither major political party had been publicly talking about energy as a top priority. But both Apollo and ei2025 were early to recognize that the innovation needed to achieve energy independence would make America more secure and spawn new business and job opportunities.
“At ei2025, we have always believed in the importance of building a national constituency for clean energy and American security,” explained ei2025 founder Chris Wolf, who was inspired to action when his nephew was sent to Iraq for his second tour of duty. “We believe that Apollo has the talent, strength and the coalition to further our mission and to keep energy at the top of the national agenda.”
Americans for Energy Independence was established in 2004 to raise the consciousness of the American public on the critical need for making energy independence a national priority. Using print and radio ads and billboards nationwide to publicly draw the connection between national security and America’s dependence on foreign oil, ei2025 inspired thousands of citizens to join an online movement to advocate for energy solutions. “If our nation had a serious energy independence strategy,” explained Wolf, “the Department of Energy would be doing these types of message campaigns on a massive scale. We attempted to fill in the gap with limited resources.”
The Apollo Alliance is a coalition of business, labor, environmental and community leaders working to catalyze a clean energy revolution in America. The coalition’s primary focus is to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, cut the carbon emissions that are destabilizing our climate and expand opportunities for American businesses and workers.
Inspired by the vision and technological achievements of the Apollo space program, the Apollo Alliance promotes policies and initiatives to speed investment in clean energy technology and energy efficiency, puts millions of Americans to work in a new generation of well-paid, green collar jobs and makes America a global leader in clean energy products and services.
“We're enthusiastic about Apollo's ability to convene key stakeholders, from labor unions to clean technology investors and from environmental organizations to groups working to create economic opportunity for vulnerable communities,” said Wolf. “I am confident that the good work of ei2025 will be carried on, in an even more robust manner by the Apollo Alliance.”
Contact:
Eric Antebi
415.901.0111 x328
antebi(at)apolloalliance.org
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