Statement on Expected Executive Order on Climate Change

Environment California

“Tomorrow’s expected action from the Trump Administration runs against the progress California is making to stave off the worst impacts of climate change. In the past few weeks alone, California has established rules to cut methane from oil drilling, introduced legislation to achieve 100 percent renewable energy, and doubled down on our pioneering electric vehicle goals. President Trump should emulate California instead of defunding science, undercutting clean energy and doubling down on fossil fuels.” Michelle Kinman, Clean Energy Advocate, Environment California.

Tomorrow, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order rolling back climate progress. The executive order instructs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to rewrite the Clean Power Plan, the single largest step the U.S. has taken to limit climate change. The order also lifts the moratorium on federal coal leasing and limits on methane from fracking operations. The administration is also initiating a process to reconsider the Social Cost of Carbon and the National Environmental Policy Act guidance on climate pollution. Michelle Kinman, Clean Energy Advocate, Environment California issued the following statement:

“Calling climate change a ‘hoax’ won’t stop temperatures or sea level from rising. We can tackle the climate crisis by investing in science and clean, renewable energy, but only if we move boldly and quickly.

Tomorrow’s expected action from the Trump Administration runs against the progress California is making to stave off the worst impacts of climate change. In the past few weeks alone, California has established rules to cut methane from oil drilling, introduced legislation to achieve 100 percent renewable energy, and doubled down on our pioneering electric vehicle goals. President Trump should emulate California instead of defunding science, undercutting clean energy and doubling down on fossil fuels.

2016 was the hottest year on record, beating 2015 which was the hottest year before that.  The climate and clean air safeguards that President Trump is proposing to block would increase pollution and threaten our health and the planet. Blocking the Clean Power plan will lead to 3,600 additional premature deaths, 90,000 more asthma attacks in children, and 300,000 more missed work and school days by 2030.

Millions of Americans have called for strong climate action, submitting more than 8 million comments asking the EPA to take action to cut carbon pollution from power plants. More than 600,000 of these comments came from Environment America’s members and supporters.

More than 1100 health professionals sent a letter urging the President to support the Clean Power Plan, to limit carbon pollution, phase out drilling and mining on public lands, increase electric vehicles and set higher fuel economy standards for cars.

We need to stop President Trump’s rollbacks of our environmental protections. These actions by the administration threaten our health, our environment, and our treasured places.

Despite the President’s dangerous and backwards energy agenda, the fact is the clean energy revolution can’t be stopped. Clean energy solutions like solar, wind and energy efficiency will reduce carbon pollution and clean up our air, protect our health, and promote energy independence.

And, as our most successful climate programs face attack on the federal level, it is incumbent on California and other states to double down on their climate commitments. We are calling on Governor Brown to keep leading the charge and push the progress we need to tackle the climate crisis and get 100 percent renewable energy.”