FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2010

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David Solimini, 757-876-0295

Veterans Launch National Tour for Clean Energy, Security

Tour to hit 16 states, highlight climate change threat to American security

Today, in front of the US Capitol, a group of US military veterans kicked off the National Veterans for American Power Tour, a 16 state, two month, nationwide bus tour in support of clean energy legislation. Sponsored by Operation Free, the tour will highlight the connection between climate change and national security.

They were joined by Rep.  Edward Markey (D-Mass), Chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

At scores of meet and greets, town hall meetings, and round table events, the veterans will describe how dependence on oil is funding our most dangerous enemies, making America vulnerable, and causing destabilizing climate change – threatening peace and security around the world.

The national tour heads to Virginia first, followed by Missouri, Colorado, and New Mexico and additional states thereafter. This tour was preceded by two smaller bus tours last year.

“As we saw on Christmas day, our dependence on oil is providing funding to our most dangerous enemies. At the same time, climate change is destabilizing already weak states and creating the failed states which provide breeding grounds and recruiting opportunities for terrorists around the world,” said Jon Powers, COO of the Truman Project and Iraq war veteran. “Climate change is making the world a more dangerous place, and America needs to stop it for our own security.”

The next month will include stops in:

• Virginia (Jan 16 & 17) Charlottesville, Martinsville, Danville
• Missouri (Jan 19-22) St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Springfield, Columbia, Sedalia, Warrensburg, Independence, Kansas City
• Colorado (Jan 24-28) Grand Junction, Breckenridge, Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo
• New Mexico (Jan 29-Feb 2) Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Roswell
• Arizona (Feb 5) Flagstaff
• Nevada (Feb 6-7) Las Vegas.

The Tour will continue onto the following states: Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio.

Relevant Facts:

• The Department of Defense has identified climate change as a ‘threat multiplier’ and plans on including the threat in the Quadrennial Defense Review, as does the State Department.  (New York Times, August 8, 2009)

• The Central Intelligence Agency has opened a Center on Climate Change and National Security. (Central Intelligence Agency, September 25, 2009)

• In 2008, a National Intelligence Assessment from the National Intelligence Council said “global climate change will have wide-ranging implications for US national security interests over the next 20 years.” (Senate Testimony of Dr. Thomas Fingar, June 28, 2008)

• Former Senator John Warner (R-VA), former Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), former CIA Director James Woolsey, Retired General Anthony Zinni, and Retired Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, General Wesley Clark, have all stated that climate change threatens our security.

Operation Free is a coalition of veterans and national security organizations dedicated to securing America with clean energy. Learn more about Operation Free and the National Veterans for American Power Tour at www.OperationFree.net.

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