Local Latino Groups Endorse Measure B

Several key Latino organizations join growing list of labor, environmental, health and Democratic organizations to endorse Measure B, bringing more solar power to Los Angeles than anywhere else in the nation

Los Angeles- Urban Semillas, Mujeres de la Tierra, Anahuak Youth Sports Association, Barrio Action Youth and Family Center, and Union de Vecinos announced their support for “Measure B: Green Energy and Good Jobs for Los Angeles,” coming up on the city’s March 3 ballot. Measure B, the largest solar initiative of its kind, will require and empower the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to install 400 megawatts of solar power on buildings throughout the city by 2014, making LA the nation’s first solar city.

“Los Angeles has waited long enough to take action. It is important that we clean up our air now to ensure that future generations will no longer have to rely on dirty and highly polluting forms of energy,” Miguel Luna, Executive Director of Urban Semillas.

Los Angeles consistently ranks at the top of environmentalists’ lists of most polluted cities in the United States. In fact, a recent Cal State Fullerton study shows more deaths result from air pollution than car crashes in LA. When fully implemented, Measure B will remove 400,000 tons of greenhouse gases from the air, making it safer to breathe and reducing our dependence on dirty fossil fuels.

“LA has always been tainted by an excess of air pollution that affects our communities. It is unhealthy for our children, families and neighbors. Measure B will take unprecedented yet necessary steps to clean up our city’s air quality. There is nothing more important to our organization than achieving a healthy environment for all families, and we believe this measure will go a long way towards making this happen.” Irma R. Munoz, President and Founder of Mujeres de la Tierra

Measure B will also boost the city’s economy by creating thousands of new green collar jobs, along with a job training and outreach program targeting underserved communities throughout LA to provide the skills needed to succeed in a solar energy career.

“Measure B provides an opportunity to improve LA’s economy and improve the lives of the families it impacts. By creating thousands of new jobs, our men and women can go back to work and build the skills they need to maintain a career in the green industry,” Raul Macias, Executive Director, Anahuak Youth Sports Association.

The Latino groups join a growing coalition of labor, environmental, health and Democratic endorsers, including: Coalition for Clean Air, Sierra Club, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, the American Lung Association of California, and the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley.

For more information, please visit www.greenenergygoodjobsla.com