DECATUR - Highlighting the importance of transitioning to a clean energy economy today, U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias touted his clean energy jobs plan while visiting the Center for Sustainability and Innovation at Richland Community College in Decatur. On the fourth day of his statewide tour promoting job creation, Giannoulias used the platinum LEED-certified center, which is powered by a windmill and will serve as a center for training, education, and applied research in alternative energies including bio diesel, ethanol, nuclear, wind, geothermal and solar. An innovative school in its own right, it serves as an example for the kinds of steps Illinois needs to take to remain competitive globally, and become a world leader in clean energy production.

"Richland Community College is an excellent example of how we can position Illinois to create a new generation of clean energy jobs that can't be outsourced," Giannoulias said. "The College's training and research programs in renewable energy will position our workforce to capitalize as we transition to a clean energy economy.  Instead of shipping our money overseas to buy oil from dangerous regimes, we'll be harvesting clean energy from our own backyard right here in central Illinois."

Giannoulias' FutureWorks plan features significant emphasis on innovation and research. As a United States Senator, Alexi will fight to give Illinois businesses the tools and incentives they need to invest in the next generation of technological and scientific breakthroughs. During his Illinois Jobs tour, Giannoulias has highlighted his plans to create the next generation of good-paying jobs, help small businesses access capital so they can grow, and root out the corporate special interests that plague Washington. Giannoulias' FutureWorks plan can be read in full at www.alexiforillinois.com.

"You can't ship a good, clean energy job in Illinois overseas to countries like China, which is why Richland is making sure we will have the next generation of workers properly equipped to meet our needs," Giannoulias said. "My FutureWorks jobs plan supports this kind clean energy job training, and Illinois families can always trust me to fight every day to keep their jobs here in Illinois."
 
Senator Dick Durbin joined the tour for select stops on August 19 and August 20. Giannoulias will visit the following cities and towns in Illinois: Alton, Bloomington/Normal, Cairo, Carbondale, Chester, Decatur, Du Quoin, East St. Louis, Effingham, Harrisburg, Mascoutah, Metropolis, Mt. Vernon, Pana, Springfield, and Waterloo.