Labor Leaders Embrace Wisconsin Apollo Alliance Clean Energy Agenda

For Immediate Release: September 23, 2008

Labor Leaders Embrace Wisconsin Apollo Alliance Clean Energy Agenda

Contacts: Phil Neuenfeldt, 414-771-0700, Satya Rhodes-Conway, 608 320 0254

Milwaukee, WI – Wisconsin should diligently pursue the development of a clean energy
economy as a strategy to add high-quality jobs to our state, according to a resolution passed
this week by delegates representing 250,000 union workers.

“Clean energy investments can put Wisconsinites back to work and give the state’s economy a
much needed boost,” said Phil Neuenfeldt, Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer and
Wisconsin Apollo Alliance Steering Committee Member.

At its annual convention in Milwaukee, the Wisconsin AFL-CIO passed a resolution supporting
the agenda of the Wisconsin Apollo Alliance, a coalition of labor, business, environmental and
community leaders dedicated to protecting the environment and spurring job growth by
promoting investment in clean energy.

“Wisconsin can reduce global warming pollution and create many new manufacturing, research,
and construction jobs by embracing clean energy,” said Keith Reopelle, Clean Wisconsin Policy
Director and Wisconsin Apollo Alliance Steering Committee member. “We can’t afford to wait.”

The Wisconsin Apollo Alliance led efforts to create the Wisconsin Independence Fund in the
2007-9 state budget. Just last week Governor Doyle announced the first local companies to be
awarded grants and loans from that fund. Clean energy jobs can help create new employment
opportunities – with an emphasis on quality, family-supporting wages.

Wisconsin is already moving forward creating just such jobs. The Flambeau River Paper Mill
and the Alliant Energy Cedar Ridge Wind Farm are among a number of clean energy projects
that are off the ground. And more are on the way, with the encouragement of such
organizations as the AFL-CIO and the Wisconsin Apollo Alliance.

“These examples prove that we can create clean energy jobs - jobs that pay a living wage and
provide benefits - in Wisconsin” said Satya Rhodes-Conway, Wisconsin Apollo Alliance staff.
“We need to create more opportunities for the businesses that provide green jobs, and for the
workers who will fill them. This is only the beginning - the Wisconsin Apollo Alliance is
committed to expanding the new energy economy in Wisconsin.”

The Apollo Alliance is a coalition of business, labor, environmental, and community leaders
working to catalyze a clean energy revolution in America 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. http://apolloalliance.org