Dear Blog Reader, Over the course of this campaign, we’ve heard a lot of talk about oil pipelines in Alaska, “drill, baby, drill,” and even an unfortunate embrace of so-called “clean coal” technology, though no form of coal is ever truly “clean.” With less than one month to go before Election Day, we need to let our candidates know we’re demanding a comprehensive, modern, green energy policy that will put this country back on the right path in more ways than one. Right now, we can launch a new green energy plan for the US that is intentionally designed to meet five urgent needs at once. We can: tackle the rising price of fuel, a hardship for many American families, transition the US away from its dependence on foreign oil, push back against the perils of climate change, and reverse rising unemployment rates, which reached a five-year high in September. create real investment into our economy that will counter the ongoing Wall Street meltdown, and its impact on Main Street. While Co-op America members have been making green-energy changes in their lives for many, many years, the time is NOW for a major system change. We’re challenging each of you to come together with us and tell all presidential and congressional candidates that our country is ready for a clean energy infrastructure that makes it easier to live green. All of our candidates need to be reminded that if we do this – if we implement a comprehensive green energy policy that calls for energy efficiency, cleaner cars, and renewable solar and wind power – we’ll ALL reap the rewards of a cleaner environment, reinvigorated economy, and more secure future. When you click through to take our action, you’ll be prompted for your ZIP code, which will bring up all congressional and presidential candidates running for office in your area. Then you can add your own personal touch to our editable message, urging all of the candidates to endorse a greener energy platform. Please take this urgent action today. Send your message to the candidates now » For background on Co-op America’s clean-energy recommendations, check our latest editorial, in which we debunk the myths that can discourage progress on green energy, and outline the components that any elected leader should have in her or his energy policy. (Please post it widely online, send it to your local paper, and otherwise help us get the word out.) Then, click through to our action page for more information on what should NOT be included in our energy policy (off-shore drilling, oil-and-gas subsidies, new coal plants, risky nuclear plants), before using our form to send your own message to Congress. Thanks for joining with us to keep this critical issue at the top of our leaders’ minds, as we push for action now, and under the new administration in 2009. Here's to all you do, Alisa Gravitz, Executive Director, Co-op America P.S. Clean energy news: The solar energy tax credits were extended for eight years as part of legislation signed into law on October 3. You can now get 30% tax credits for solar installed on your home or business – without a cap on the amount of the credit. Thanks to all of our members who joined with us in pushing for these tax credits!

Tell your presidential and congressional candidates to support a truly green energy policy. Act now. » DONATE to our Climate Action Program Help us expand our work to build a greener energy future for America. Donate today » Join Co-op America to keep informed about our work to build a green economy. Receive a subscription to our Co-op America Quarterly, our green living newsletter Real Money, a copy of the National Green Pages™, and our Guide to Socially Responsible Investing. Your membership makes all of our work possible, and shows that more and more Americans are truly committed to a greener future. Join Now » Post our editorial, or submit it to your newspaper Co-op America's latest green-energy editorial explains our position on a truly green energy policy for America. We invite you to post it to your own Web site, link to us, or submit it to your local newspaper. (If you do any of the above, please let us know!) Read the editorial »

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