Virginia Jobs: Clean Energy: If Not Now, When?

What does bowling have to do with climate change? A lot more than you might think. Bowling alleys use lots of lights, electricity, heating, and air conditioning systems -- not to mention all the food and beverages people consume. All of these have impacts on our energy and environment.

Today, our country faces many challenges -- to our economy, our national security, and our climate. So, it is up to every person and every business leader to make smart choices to be part of the solution to these issues.

Our country has met and overcome similar challenges before. Whether it was recovering from the Great Depression in the 1940s and '50s, leading the Space Race in the 1960s, or rebounding from the oil shocks of the 1970s, America has shown its resilience and ability to overcome great challenges and come out stronger. To face down the current crises, we need solutions that will inspire innovation in our businesses and our workers, whose ingenuity and hard work will drive our recovery and restore our economic leadership.

That's why Tom Perriello, Charlottesville's representative in Congress, took a bold step and voted in favor of clean energy and climate legislation in June.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act that passed in the House of Representatives in June would help shift investment to clean energy and reduce the pollution that causes climate change. While the bill was not perfect, it was a major accomplishment, marking the first time ever that comprehensive clean energy and climate policy has passed in either chamber of the U.S. Congress.

It's now up to leaders in the Senate to take the next step forward by ensuring that we move ahead with strong clean energy and climate legislation for America.

According to a recent study by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the number of jobs in America's emerging clean energy economy grew nearly two and a half times faster than overall jobs between 1998 and 2007. The clean energy sector already accounts for thousands of jobs in Virginia. Furthermore, a recent study by the Political Economic Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts found that a significant investment in clean energy could produce nearly 45,000 new jobs here in our commonwealth.

Clean energy is not just about jobs; it's also about holding off the threat of climate change. The impact of climate change is already occurring and the consequences could be dire. In recent years, several states have been experiencing severe droughts, hurricanes, raging wildfires, and other impacts that are affecting the land and air -- and costing people millions of dollars.

Climate change is also impacting our national security. Our dependence on oil keeps us tied to dangerous regimes in the Middle East -- this puts our troops in harm's way. As Virginia has one of the largest naval bases in the world, we'd like our servicemen and women here at home, not overseas. In addition, increased natural disasters, food shortages, and rising sea levels will likely lead to more population migrations and conflicts. That's why, last week, a coalition of 32 prominent Republican and Democrats signed a statement urging Congress and the administration to develop a strategy to "respond to and mitigate the impact of climate change."

We all need to step up to these challenges. At my company, AMF Bowling, we're taking several steps around the country to increase clean energy and protect the environment. For instance, earlier this year, we announced a plan to retrofit nearly 300 of our bowling centers with new-generation lighting that requires about one-half the amount of energy as our older fixtures. The program yielded not only energy savings, but also immediate job creation. And as a company, we stand to save about $3 million per year in utility costs just by, frankly, doing the right thing.

Unfortunately, there are groups out there that are trying to use misinformation and scare tactics to deter Congress from taking action to send our country in a new and sustainable direction. But the reality is that the costs associated with cutting carbon pollution are manageable. Just a few days ago, a new analysis by the U.S. Department of Energy found that we can create millions of green jobs and cut carbon pollution for about 23 cents a day per household through the year 2020. And what's the payback from this investment? Cleaner air, better health, fewer natural disasters, more job opportunities, and more security for our children.

Strong action on energy and climate is essential for America to move in a new direction. Thankfully, we have leaders, like Perriello, who are pointing us toward the clean energy solutions. Now we need Virginia's Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner to show their leadership and move legislation forward in the Senate.

Now is the time to use our spirit of innovation -- the same spirit that led me to transform bowling centers across America -- to create jobs and strengthen our security for years to come.
Fred Hipp is the president and CEO of Richmond-based AMF Bowling Centers Inc., the world's largest owner and operator of bowling centers. Contact him at (804) 730-4408.