DETROIT, MI (May 11, 2012) Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman John Dingell today received the 2012 Green Jobs Champion Award today at the 2012 Good Jobs, Green Jobs Midwest Conference. The two-day conference brought together business, environmental, labor, nonprofit and elected leaders from across the Midwest to discuss getting Americans to work in good, green jobs.

“Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressman John Dingell are champions of working people and the environment,” said David Foster, President of the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation. “Their voices have helped frame our nation’s discussion about manufacturing and environmental protections. With their help, I am certain we can create good, family-sustaining jobs here in Michigan and throughout the rest of the country.”

“New clean energy technologies are transforming Michigan’s economy, spurring new job growth and reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil. Michigan businesses and entrepreneurs are leading the nation in clean energy patents and advanced battery research and production. I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the highly-skilled, hardworking men and women across our state,” said Stabenow.

“As we work to improve our fragile economy, it is important that we support businesses so they can have the tools to create and maintain jobs and put Americans back to work,” said Dingell, a senior member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. “However, it is also important that we not cede ground in our efforts to keep our air clean and our environment viable for the future; the health of our citizens is too important.”

The Green Jobs Champion award has been given out at the Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference since 2009, and it recognizes individuals for their hard work and dedication to moving America to a cleaner, more efficient economy with good jobs that are also good for our environment. 

The ceremony took place during the final day of the Good Jobs, Green Jobs Midwest Conference in Detroit, the final of four regional conferences held this year. The other conferences were held in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. 

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About the Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference

The 2012 Good Jobs, Green Jobs Regional Conferences are coordinated by the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that conducts research and educates the public and media about solutions to environmental challenges that create economic opportunities for the American people. Visit www.greenjobsconference.org.