FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2019

CONTACT: Kristin Igusky | kigusky@usclimatealliance.org

Bipartisan Climate Alliance expands to 21 governors, representing 50% of U.S. population and over half of national GDP

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers today announced his plans to join the U.S. Climate Alliance. He stated that “It’s a new day in Wisconsin and it’s time to lead our state in a new direction where we embrace science, where we discuss the very real implications of climate change, where we work to find solutions, and where we invest in renewable energy. By joining the U.S. Climate Alliance, we will have support in demonstrating that we can take climate action while growing our economy at the same time.”

By joining the Alliance, governors commit to:

· Implement policies that advance the goals of the Paris Agreement, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emission by at least 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025

· Track and report progress to the global community in appropriate settings, including when the world convenes to take stock of the Paris Agreement, and

· Accelerate new and existing policies to reduce carbon pollution and promote clean energy deployment at the state and federal level.

With Wisconsin as its newest member, the Alliance represents half (50 percent) of the U.S. population and over a $10 trillion economy. The climate and clean energy policies of these states have created 1.6 million renewable energy and energy efficiency jobs, equivalent to over half of all clean energy jobs in the United States. The climate and clean energy policies Alliance states have put into place now cover 35 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

U.S. Climate Alliance Executive Director Julie Cerqueira welcomed Governor Evers’ announcement, noting, “Governor Evers has been vocal about how climate change poses a real threat to Wisconsin’s communities and economy. We look forward to working with the Governor on his priorities to invest in the state’s transportation infrastructure, increase locally-produced renewable energy, and protect natural and working lands across Wisconsin.”

The Alliance was formed in June 2017 in response to President Trump’s announced intent to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. Each state commits to reducing their emissions in line with the U.S. target under Paris, and all have enacted new climate policy measures since joining the Alliance. In September, the Alliance announced a suite of new commitments, including the deployment of $1.4 billion to decarbonize transportation and take steps to protect natural and working lands as carbon sinks by 2020.

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The U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of 21 governors committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Hawaii | Illinois | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | Oregon | Puerto Rico | Rhode Island | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin