In a lobbying effort signaling new unity between organized labor and the environmental movement, about 100 state legislators received office visits from union members and environmentalists speaking on a common agenda.

The visits were part of a "Citizens Lobby Day" Feb. 17 organized by the Blue Green Alliance, a new coalition of unions and environmental groups to advance a shared agenda.

"Labor and environmentalists are getting together because of our shared beliefs in good jobs, a clean environment, and a safer world," said Dave Foster, regional director of the United Steelworkers of America, speaking at a news conference that kicked off the lobby day. "This is an exciting new day in Minnesota politics. The turnout here is exciting," Foster said, addressing a standing-room-only crowd of about 75 people.

"For too long, we've seen politicians try to play both sides of this alliance against each other, working people and environmentalists. It hasn't been good for the state," said Dee Long, former state representative and now a program director for Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ME3).

For this session of the state Legislature, the Blue Green Alliance is focusing on three goals:

--support for legislation to provide $37.5 million for the Northstar Commuter Rail Line and planning money for the University Ave. light rail corridor;

--support for legislation to provide incentives for high-performance, energy-efficient commercial buildings;

--support for legislation to promote renewable energy development, with an emphasis on wind power.

Because federal funding for the Northstar line might be lost if the state doesn't act this session, Foster said, support for the public transit improvements was "the No. 1 point we want to make today."

Long said providing tax incentives for the construction of new energy-efficient buildings, or the retrofitting of existing buildings, would provide jobs for highly-skilled workers.

Dick Anfang, president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council, said that developing Minnesota's production of renewable energy could "establish a base for a new high-wage, high-skill manufacturing sector." In Pennsylvania, he noted, a wind turbine maker is building a plant that will employ 1,000 workers. "The next plant should be built in Minnesota," Anfang said.

In Germany, Foster noted, production of wind generators is now the largest user of steel after the auto industry.

Following the news conference, about 25 teams ? each with labor union members and environmental group members ? spent the afternoon going to scheduled appointments with legislators. Each team was able to make about four or five visits, reaching about 100 legislators in total.

A Blue Green team confers before visiting legislators. From left are Carrie Ann Johnson, Green Party member and Steelworkers associate member; J. Drake Hamilton, science policy director, Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy; Steve Hunter, secretary-treasurer, Minnesota AFL-CIO; Eugene Piccolo, Sierra Club member and Steelworkers associate member, and (with back to camera) Bernie Hagen, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees member. Labor Review photo

Later, in the Capitol rotunda, the groups reconvened briefly to share their experiences.

"We had a very good day," Foster said. "We'll have bills in the hopper. We'll have to generate some follow-up. We've got some momentum now."

Steve Share edits the Minneapolis Labor Review, the official publication of the Minneapolis Central Labor Union Council.