Milwaukee climate and labor leaders stand with Rep. Gwen Moore to call for lead abatement

MILWAUKEE – As part of its Build Back Better Wisconsin Month of Action, Wisconsin Conservation Voters is hosting a press event on Friday, Sept. 3 at 2:30 p.m. featuring Rep. Gwen Moore, clean energy, and labor leaders. The speakers are calling for lead abatement and energy efficiency upgrades in Milwaukee homes to create equitable living spaces and new jobs.

As the UN said, the latest IPCC report is a “code red for humanity” – failure to act on climate is not an option. Disenfranchised communities in Milwaukee, particularly communities of color, are most impacted by climate issues such as lead poisoning from their drinking water. We must act now – local governments need bold investments from Congress.

Speakers will be calling on Congress to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to transition to a clean energy economy and mitigate the growing threat of climate change. Congress must pass the Build Back Better Act to make a sustainable future for our city possible.

This live media event will take place outside of the Social Development Commission building in Milwaukee. It will feature Rep. Gwen Moore and local climate and labor union leaders including, Dr. George Hinton, CEO of the Social Development Commission; Richard Diaz, the Midwest Regional Field Organizer of BlueGreen Alliance; Andrew Buck, the Director of Government Affairs with International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 7; Pam Fendt, President of Milwaukee Labor Council AFL-CIO; and Ariana Hones, the Southeast Organizer of Wisconsin Conservation Voters.

WHAT: Build Back Better Wisconsin Media Event

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 3 at 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Social Development Commission (outside in the parking lot), 1730 W North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53205

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

• Ariana Hones, Southeast Organizer for Wisconsin Conservation Voters
• Dr. George Hinton, CEO of the Social Development Commission (SDC)
• Richard Diaz, Midwest Regional Field Organizer with BlueGreen Alliance
• Andrew Buck, Director of Government Affairs with International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 7 (IUPAT)
• Pam Fendt, President of Milwaukee Labor Council AFL-CIO
• Rep. Gwen Moore

QUOTES:

Ariana Hones, the Southeast Organizer of Wisconsin Conservation Voters said:

“It has become abundantly clear that Wisconsin cannot wait for climate solutions. Extreme weather is disrupting not only the state’s infrastructure but also its economy and those who make it work. We need homes that are free from lead, weatherized, and are energy efficient. In the process of retro-fitting homes and investing in clean energy infrastructure, we need to create good paying jobs that allow families to thrive in Wisconsin. The time to be bold is now.”

Pam Fendt, the President of Milwaukee Labor Council AFL-CIO said:

"We need a recovery for America and by America to build back better—repairing and modernizing our infrastructure, retooling and rebuilding U.S. manufacturing, and growing clean energy and energy efficiency. These investments will deliver good, union jobs for workers, lift up struggling communities, make our country more equitable, and address climate change. The framework for federal funding for repair, upgrading, and development of infrastructure – from bridges and streets, to mass transit and rail, from EV charging stations, to sewer and water systems is absolutely something to celebrate and support."

Andrew Buck, the Director of Government Affairs with IUPAT said:

“The investments we make to build back better should deliver for workers and the environment. We’ve seen successful investment that creates and sustain good-paying, safe, union jobs for local workers and that also ensures we’re manufacturing the materials and components needed for the job here – like the Northwest Mutual Tower project and Fiserv Forum. We need Congress to duplicate successes like that and get to work to deliver a better future for working people."

Contact Ryan Billingham, Communications Director, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, 608-661-0845 (office), 608-208-1129 (mobile/text), or ryan@conservationvoters.org