( BLACK PR WIRE) ( February 24, 2009) The Power Vote initiative had made its way to the Florida A&M University campus in September 2008. Now Power Vote will hold Power Shift 2009 in our nation’s capital. Thousands are expected to turn out for the Power Shift '09 event in Washington, D.C. from February 27 to March 2, during the first 100 days of President Barack Obama’s administration.
Power Vote is a non-partisan campaign created to engage millions of people in an effort to demand real solutions to global warming. The campaign highlights the use of natural energy sources like wind and solar power, energy efficient buildings and sustainable transportation.

Bessie Schwarz, a National Wildlife Federation Power Vote Florida organizer, feels that the Power Shift conference will be a success.

"Our generation has the power to change our country," Schwarz said. "By choosing a clean energy future we will create millions of jobs, improve our health, and avoid future wars. We are making the candidates respond to us by making our move on the energy crisis. Power Shift '09 will give that chance to really explain why we need to get rid of coal."

Power Vote had a goal to receive one million pledges nationwide, including at least 2500 FAMU students. The campaign was encouraging all students to connect with other young voters at powervote.org and vote in the November 4 election.

The website states that Power Vote "reflects the priorities of students." These priorities are green jobs, a clean energy economy, cutting global warming pollution and to re-engage as a leader in the international community.

The pledge process was mainly for students to “pledge to vote for clean and just energy." Over 341,000 students have already signed up nationally.

Universities like Florida State University, University of Florida and other universities around the country were competing to see who could secure the most pledges. The top pledging schools were posted on the website with a running tally. Kimberley Grant, 18, a freshman political science student from Jacksonville, is excited about the trip to Washington, D.C. "I'm glad to be of any assistance with creating new jobs and a better environment. I'm ready for a change because we desperately need it."

The campaign is run by the Energy Action Coalition. The EAC was founded in 2004 and aims to inform students on issues about the climate, the greenhouse effect and the harmful side effects of coal usage.
In November of 2007 the EAC along with Power Vote started the Power Shift, a conference to give the youth a voice on political issues

Daniel Johnson, 21, a junior math education student from Tampa, believes in alternative energy.
"I'm tired of buying gas and I hear that my utility bill is about to increase," Johnson said. "I just want to know how we can voice our opinion to President Obama and his cabinet to construct wind and solar power to benefit the people like he said we would do." Power Vote is encouraging all students who had taken the pledge to attend the Power Shift conference in Washington, D.C. For more information and updates on Power Vote, visit www.powervote.org.