Voters in six key states—New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan—have a near-term choice to elect progressive governors who can change their states’ direction on climate.
Washington, D.C. — In the face of President Donald Trump’s attacks on climate and energy regulations—and his announcement that he will withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement—a new analysis from the Center for American Progress Action Fund highlights the stakes for states with competitive governor’s races in 2017 and 2018. CAP Action analyzed the carbon pollution data of key states with upcoming races, finding that a change in leadership in New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan would significantly increase the nation’s current commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. If these states joined the U.S. Climate Alliance, for example, they would approximately double the amount of carbon pollution covered by the coalition’s emissions reduction aspirations, and should those states meet or exceed their goals under the Clean Power Plan, they would avert an amount of carbon pollution equivalent to taking 18 million cars off the road for a year.
“Progressive governors will have many opportunities to implement new policies in their states that reduce carbon pollution and grow the economy. The greatest opportunity they have now is to prove to voters that they will choose a new direction on climate change and reject the vision shared by President Trump, his administration, and congressional allies,” said Luke Bassett, associate director of domestic energy policy at CAP Action.
CAP Action’s analysis underscores that in 2017 and 2018, voters will have a choice to elect progressive governors who can change their states’ direction on climate, despite the president’s actions.
“In June, President Trump chose to exit the Paris Agreement, turning his back on innovation, clean energy jobs, and the solutions to climate change that will protect communities and save lives. Since then, elected leaders from outside Washington, D.C.; governors; mayors; and others have voiced new leadership, and in 2017 and 2018, voters in key competitive states will have a choice to elect new leaders who will join the fight,” said Christy Goldfuss, vice president for energy and environment policy at CAP Action.
Click here to read “Governor’s Races that Matter for Climate Action” by Luke Bassett and Christy Goldfuss.
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, contact Allison Preiss at [email protected] or 202.478.6331.