Apollo Alliance

Formation

In 2004, Joel Rogers from the Center On Wisconsin Strategy, Robert Borosage from the Institute for America’s Future, and environmental visionary Dan Carol approached Steelworkers President Leo Gerard and SEIU President Andy Stern, among others, to propose a new alliance of labor, environmental groups, business and social justice leaders called the Apollo Alliance. The Alliance, which soon included over 200 supporting organizations, released a report that year arguing for a ten-year program of investment in a “clean energy, good jobs” economy.[1]

The Apollo Alliance is a joint project of the Institute for America’s Future and the Center on Wisconsin Strategy. The Apollo Alliance is a 501-c3 organization.[2]

From Common Dreams.org, Apollo Alliance press release January 14, 2004.[3]

An unusual alliance of labor, environmental, civil rights, business, and political leaders today laid out a vision for a “New Apollo Project” to create 3.3 million new jobs and achieve energy independence in ten years. Named after President Kennedy’s moon program, which inspired a major national commitment to the aerospace industry, the Apollo Alliance aims to unify the country behind a ten-year program of strategic investment for clean energy technology and new infrastructure.

The Alliance also announced that it has received support from 17 of America’s largest labor unions, including the United Auto Workers, the Steelworkers and Machinists, as well as a broad cross section of the environmental movement, including the Sierra Club, the NRDC, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and Greenpeace.

The press conference was held as President Bush is expected to make a final push for his energy agenda, which was defeated under widespread criticism last November. The press conference was attended by co-chairs of the Apollo Alliance, Senator Maria Cantwell (by phone), Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers of America, Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club, as well as by California State Treasurer Phil Angelides, Congressman Jay Inslee (by phone), John Podesta, president of the Center for American Progress and Bracken Hendricks, executive director of the Apollo Alliance.

Dr. Ray Perryman, a corporate economist from Texas who prepared a detailed economic analysis of the proposal for a New Apollo Project said, “If economists agree on anything it’s that inventing new technologies and creating whole new industries is what America does best. We are a creative economy, not a commodity economy. The New Apollo Project would keep us on the cutting edge of manufacturing emerging technologies and secure our long-term prosperity.”

Perryman concluded that the proposed tax credits and investments would create 3.3 million new, high-wage jobs for manufacturing, construction, transportation, high-tech, and public sector workers, while reducing dependence on imported oil and cleaning the air. Perryman’s analysis shows that a New Apollo Project would also position the U.S. to take the lead in fast- growing markets, dramatically reduce the trade deficit and more than pay for itself in energy savings and returns to the U.S. Treasury. Perryman’s study was based on an input-output analysis of impacts on key industry sectors, using a highly regarded economic model and extensive survey data.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said, “At the time of Kennedy’s moon shot, we were in space race with the Soviet Union. Now we are in an economic race with the Europeans and Japanese. Bush is focused on the past, the New Apollo Project for energy independence is focused on the future. America led the electronic and communications revolutions. Now we must lead the clean energy revolution if we are to maintain our global economic leadership.”

Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.) issued a statement in support of the release saying, “One of the keys to America’s energy security — and therefore our national security — lies in rebuilding our cities. We need strategic investments to retrofit old buildings, expand transportation alternatives, restore our infrastructure, and create solar, wind and hydrogen technology. Apollo will rebuild our country in a way that benefits all Americans and reestablishes our global economic competitiveness.”

“As California’s chief investment officer and a fiduciary of the nation’s first and third largest pension funds, I am well aware that the way in which we invest capital can shape not only the contours of our economy, but also the future of our communities, our society, and our environment for decades to come,” California State Treasurer Phil Angelides said: “I applaud the efforts of the Apollo Alliance to develop programs that illustrate how strategic public investments can stimulate our economy while at the same time improve the quality of life in communities across our nation.”

Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) said, “The New Apollo Energy Project is an opportunity for a bold new energy policy that can free us from our over-dependence on Middle East oil, expand the economy, and address environmental challenges. We should call for a total national commitment to harness the genius of America’s can-do attitude that would design, invent and deploy the new clean energy technologies that benefit this new century. No single national endeavor has such capacity to expand our economy by tapping our innate and unique technological genius for innovation, and creating millions of new jobs.”

President Gerard said: “The New Apollo Project is a call to action for labor unions and environmental groups to forge a new strategy, rooted in common interests, for moving America forward. The Bush energy plan is a waste of money and natural resources. A New Apollo Project will unite America around a positive vision of economic growth and reinvestment that’s good for business, workers and the environment.”

According to Pope, the executive director of the Sierra Club, one of the country’s oldest and largest environmental groups, “A New Apollo Project will help accelerate the transition away from our dependence on imported oil and other polluting fossil fuels, and toward clean energy like solar and wind. Apollo stands in marked contrast to the Bush Administration’s damaging energy agenda, which hurts job creation and the environment. An Apollo Project can simultaneously address the threats of manufacturing job loss, global warming and our diminishing national energy security.”

John Podesta, president of the Center for American Progress, said, “In stark contrast to the secret Cheney energy plan hatched by big oil, the Apollo Project harnesses America’s ingenuity in support of an energy program that enhances our security, our health, and our livelihoods.”

Bracken Hendricks, executive director of the Apollo Alliance underscored the importance of Apollo in the upcoming political cycle. “We are seeing for the first time a competition among all the major Presidential candidates to produce the best plan for investing in clean energy infrastructure and good jobs. The public is demanding a forward-looking plan to rebuild our economy and a positive solution to our energy insecurity. A bold approach like Apollo is the kind of leadership we need from our next President.”

Key personnel

Apollo Alliance National Steering Committee, 2006:[4]

Ruben Aronin, Global Green USA
Andrew Beebe, Energy Innovations
Robert L. Borosage, Institute for America’s Future
Dan Carol, CTSG
Maggie Fox, Sierra Club
Bracken Hendricks, Apollo Alliance
Van Jones, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
Mindy Lubber, CERES
Jeff Rickert, Apollo Alliance
Mark Ritchie, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Joel Rogers, Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS)
Marco Trbovich, United Steelworkers of America (USWA)

National Advisory Board, 2006:[5]

Phil Angelides, California State Treasurer
President Andrew Beebe, Energy Innovations, An Idea Lab Company
Angela Glover Blackwell, Policy Link
Chairman Julian Bond, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
President Thomas Buffenbarger, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Senator Maria Cantwell, MS Congress (D-WA)
Henry Cisneros, former Mayor of San Antonio, Texas
President Leo W. Gerard, The United Steel Workers of America
Jan Hartke, Executive Director, EarthVoice
Vice President Gerry Hudson, SEIU Local 1199
Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr., US Congress (D-IL)
Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Systems and Mitchell Kapor Foundation
Bill Lucy, Secretary/Treasurer, AFSCME
William Lynch
William McDonough, Architect, Author, Educator
Kathleen McGinty, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Energy
President Terence M. O’Sullivan, Laborers’ International Union of North America
Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club
Art Pulaski, Secretary-Treasurer, California Labor Federation
Governor Ed Rendell, Pennsylvania
Anthony Thigpenn, Executive Director AGENDA
President Danny Thompson, Nevada Labor Federation

The Board of Directors as at Dec. 28, 2009 was:[6]

Chairman: Phil Angelides, Chairman, Canyon Johnson Urban Communities Fund
Frances Beinecke, President, Natural Resources Defense Council
Robert Borosage, President, Institute for America’s Future
Leo Gerard, International President, United Steelworkers Union
Gerry Hudson, International Executive Vice President, Service Employees International Union
Mindy Lubber, President, CERES
Nancy McFadden, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for PG&E Corporation
Kathleen McGinty, former Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Terence O’Sullivan, General President, Laborers’ International Union of North America
Ellen Pao, Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers
Michael Peck, Principal, MAPA Incorporated
John Podesta, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress
Carl Pope, Executive Director, Sierra Club
Dan Reicher, Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives, Google
Joel Rogers, Director, Center on Wisconsin Strategy

Past Members of the Board of Directors

Van Jones[7]

Funders

2008-2009 Apollo Alliance Donors were:[8]

$100,000 and Over

Belvue Fund
Energy Foundation
Joyce Foundation
Kendeda Fund
Kresge Foundation
Nathan Cummings Foundation
Pacific Gas and Electric
Surdna Foundation
Town Creek Foundation
United Steel Workers
Chris A. Wolfe

$50,000 to $99,999

AG Foundation
Bellwether Foundation
California State Association of Electrical Workers
Covanta Projects
Laborers’ International Union of North America
Overbrook Foundation
Guy M. Saperstein
Wallace Global Fund

$25,000 to $49,999

American Federation of Teachers
CERES
Gamesa Technology Corp
Garfield Foundation
Michael King
Service Employees International Union
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union

$10,000 to $24,999

BrightSource Energy
CalSMNACNA
James Kimo Campbell
Change to Win
French American Charitable Trust
Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
MMA Financial
Public Service Electric and Gas
Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association
Western States Council of California
Tom Unterman and Janet Unterman

$5,000 to $9,999

Susie and Mark Buell
California Clean Energy Fund
Conservation Services Group
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 304
Dianne McKenna and Regis McKenna
McKinstry Essention
Minnesota Foundation
Office and Professional Employees International Union
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 447
Ellen Pao and Alphonse Fletcher Jr.
State Building and Construction Trades Council of California
Tides Center
Victoria Foundation

$1,000 to $4,999

Robert Adler
American Income Life Insurance Company
Matthew Aracich David and Leah Bangs of the California Nurses Association
Peter Calthorpe and Jean Driscoll
The Corps Network
David Rockefeller Fund
DivcoWest Group
Earth Friendly Products Labs
ecoAmerica
Fanwood Foundation
Jane Henson Foundation
Holland & Hart
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 39
Kennedy Associates RE Counsel, LP
Landon Butler & Company, LP
John J.B. Miller

National Association of Service & Conservation Corps
John J.B. MillerNative Energy
Natural Resources Defense Council
Newtower Trust Company
Northern California Carpenters
Parker and Partners
Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 442
Robert Perkowitz and Lisa Renstrom
Rosengarten-Horowitz Fund
Walter Schneider and Diane Schneider
Seattle Foundation
Southern California Pipe Trades District Council 16
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 8

Endorsers

Endorsers of Apollo Alliance as at Dec. 28, 2009 were:[9]

AFL-CIO:

Industrial Union Council
Building and Construction Trades Dept
Hawaii branch
Illinois branch
Indiana branch
King County Labor Council
Metropolitan Detroit branch
Michigan branch
Minnesota branch
Oregon branch
Pennsylvania branch
Washington State Labor Council
Wisconsin branch

Other labor unions:

National Heavy and Highway Alliance
Amalgamated Transit Union
American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union
Boilermakers Union
California Labor Federation
Graphic Communications Industrial Union
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
International Union of Electrical Workers
Laborers’ International Union of North America
Paper and Allied Chemical Employees
Service Employees International Union
Sheet Metal Workers International Association
Transportation Workers Union
United Automobile and Aerospace Workers
United Food and Commercial Workers
United Mine Workers of America
UNITE HERE
United Steel Workers of America

Environmental Organizations:

American Solar Energy Society
Beyond Nuclear
Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Conventions
Center for Environmental Health
CERES
Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Conventions
The Detroit Project
EarthVoice
Environment 2004
Environmental Law and Policy Center
Energy Action
Global Green USA
Greenpeace USA
Healthy Schools Network
League of Conservation Voters
Midwest Renewable Energy Association
Natural Resources Defense Council
National Parks Conservation Association
National Wildlife Federation
Rainforest Action Network
Republicans for Environmental Protection
The Sierra Club
The Sierra Student Coalition
South Carolina Coastal Conservation League
Union of Concerned Scientists

Economic, Social Justice, Faith-Based, and State & Local Partners:

ACORN
Action for Grassroots Economic and Neighborhood Development
Alternatives (AGENDA)
Black Farmers USA
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
California Council of Churches and California Church IMPACT
Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
Jim Hightower and The Rolling Thunder Down Home Democracy Tour
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Intertribal Council On Utility Policy
Green For All
Plug in Partners
South Carolina Coastal Conservation League
Urban Agenda

Trade Associations:

25 x 25
American Wind Energy Association
Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities
Environmental Business Association of New York
North Carolina Solar Center
American Solar Energy Society
Renewable Energy Long Island
The American Council On Renewable Energy

Financial & Legal Services:

Arete Capital
Bruce Oreck, Esq.
Chaucery Financial Advisors
Ecosa Capital
Expansion Capital Partners
Enright Premier Wealth Advisors
Sigma Capital Group
First Affirmative Financial Network
Green Money Journal
Paladin Private Equity Partners
Renewal Associates, LLC
Progressive Asset Management
Vantage Point Venture Partners
Sustainable Jobs Fund Ventures
White & Lee, LLP
Synergistic Dynamics, Inc

Renewable Energy Technology/Products/Services:

Austin Energy
Clean Edge
Clean Energy Group
Community Energy
Conergy, INC
Solectria Renewables
OurEnergy
East Haven Wind Farm
EcoLogical Solutions
Energy Innovations/Idea Labs
Bonneville Environmental Foundation
Environmental Energy Solutions
McKenzie Bay International
NativeWind
Northern Power Systems
PV Powered
Sunlink, LLC
Cape Wind Associates
Hawaii PV Coalition
Pacific Ethanol
Olympia Green Fuels
Clean Air Now
Sharp Solar
HyGen Industries
US Renewables Group
Pioneer Valley Photovoltaics
Native Energy, LLC
Daystar Technologies
PPM Energy
3 Phases Energy Services
Pro Vision Technologies
Blue Sun Biodiesel
California Cars Initiative
Community Fuels
Cooperative Community Energy Corp
Renewable Energy Access
Environ Corporation
Shepherd Advisors
Sterling Planet Inc.
United Bio Lube
Global Resource Options, Inc
Wilson Turbo Power, Inc

Energy Efficiency:

Conservation Services Group
Engage Networks Inc.
Lightly Treading, Energy & Design
Kinsley Power Systems
McKinstry
Johnson Controls
Virent Energy Systems
Burlington Electric Department
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Washington Electric Cooperative

Consumer Products:

Aspen Skiing Company
The Saunders Hotel Group and Environmental Consulting
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
Ben & Jerry’s
Working Assets
Seventh Generation
Pacific Bioscience Labs
Strider Corporation
Bay Towel

Green Buildings/Infrastructure/Economic Development:

High Performance Building Technology Team
Blue Wave Strategies
Ervin + Company
All American Home Center
William Maclay Architects & Planners
William McDonough Partners
Schultz Development Group, LLC
CTO, NatureWorks (formerly Cargill-Dow)
Duce Construction Corporation
Quantec LLC
NYC Transit
Center for Smart Energy
Mazria Architects
Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center

Business Leaders:

Mitch Kapor, Founder of Louts
Robert Preston, Merrill Lynch
Paul Adams, CEPTYR

Staff

Staff of Apollo Alliance as at Dec. 28, 2009 were:[10]

Cathy Calfo – Executive Director
Kate Gordon – Senior Policy Advisor
Andrea Bazemore – Indiana State Coordinator
Paul Blank – Strategic Advisor
Andrea Buffa – Senior Writer and Policy Associate
Elena Foshay – Research Associate
Sam Haswell – Communications Director
Amelia Klawon – Executive Assistant
Mac Lynch – Interim California State Coordinator
Matt Mayrl – Policy Director
Jessica Partch – Major Gifts Officer
Mary Raftery – Director of Operations and Finance
Jerome Ringo – President
Ron Ruggiero – Field Director
Dana Sevakis – Michigan State Coordinator
Shanelle Smith – Ohio State Coordinator
Joe Thomas – Missouri State Coordinator

References

↑ Apollo Alliance website: Report entitled “High Road or Low Road? Job Quality in the New Green Economy”, page 10
↑ Democratic Underground.com, Jan-01-06
↑ http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/0114-11.htm Common Dreams.org, Apollo Alliance press release January 14, 2004]
↑ Apollo Alliance website, accessed thru Wayback July 23. 2011
↑ Democratic Underground.com, Jan-01-06
↑ Apollo Alliance
↑ http://apolloalliance.org/blog/?p=200
↑ Apollo Alliance: Funders
↑ Apollo Alliance website: Endorsers
↑ Apollo Alliance website: Staff