Vermont to join states in climate alliance

Jess Aloe | The Burlington (Vt.) Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption World Leaders Express Alarm Over US Climate Exit Many allies are expressing alarm over the U.S. abandoning the chief effort to slow the planet's warming. The leaders of France, Germany and Italy joined to "note with regret" the Trump decision and express doubts about any change in the accord. (June 2)

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Vermont will join the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of states continuing to work toward the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott announced the move on Friday, the day after President Trump said he planned to withdraw the United States from the climate accord.

The alliance was formed on Thursday by three Democratic governors, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, California Gov. Edmund Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.

Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut have also joined.

"This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change,” Cuomo said in a statement announcing the coalition.

Mayors from across the country also pledged Friday to take the lead in reducing the nation’s carbon footprint.

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Scott said he and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, also a Republican, sent a letter to Trump last month urging him to remain in the agreement.

Vermont and Massachusetts began discussing next steps immediately after Trump's announcement. Scott continued to have conversations with New York, Washington and Massachusetts on Friday, he said.

"Growing our economy and protecting our environment by supporting cleaner and more affordable energy and transportation choices can go together," Scott said.

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger and Montpelier Mayor John Hollar also joined with 150 other mayors to commit to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement.

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