WASHINGTON, D.C. – Labor, environmental, business, non-profit and civic leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 2015 Good Jobs, Green Jobs Conference. The Conference focused on Energizing America—how to make the investments in our energy infrastructure to help address the threat of climate change, create family-sustaining jobs and increase global competitiveness.

Influential leaders from around the country held and attended workshops at the day-long conference, took part in plenary sessions featuring dynamic speakers, and networked and shared their experiences about how to create a stronger, cleaner American economy.

“Our energy infrastructure is critical to determining how we address the threat of climate change, how we create family-sustaining jobs and increase global competitiveness, and how we protect the environment,” said Kim Glas, President of the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation. “The opportunity to build relationships and discuss the ideas that can translate into meaningful action in communities across the country as we’ve done today has never been more important.

At the Conference, the BlueGreen Alliance Foundation awarded its Green Jobs Champion Award to Vice President Joe Biden in recognition of his efforts in support of critical investments in renewable and energy efficient technology and other policies that have laid the groundwork for our country’s growing clean energy economy.

Previous winners include, Senator Jeff Merkley (OR); Congressman George Miller (CA); Dr. Steven Chu, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy; Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi; Senators Sherrod Brown (OH), Edward Markey (MA) Debbie Stabenow (MI); and U.S. Reps. Bobby Rush and Henry Waxman (CA).

“Vice President Biden encompasses all the best in a leader who tirelessly fights to protect the environment, for the interests of working families and to grow America’s economic competitiveness,” said Glas. “We’re pleased to award him with the 2015 Green Jobs Champion Award.”