Thirty Governors Form Energy and Climate Coalition

On May 21, governors from 30 states and territories signed on to the Governors’ Energy and Climate Coalition in an effort to find common ground on a national strategy for climate change action. “These states have been leaders on the green front – promoting renewable and clean energy, creating jobs and taking concrete steps to address climate change,” said Vermont Governor Jim Douglas. The Coalition is in an important position to assist the federal government as it builds out a national energy policy that creates jobs and protects consumers and the environment. The bipartisan group of governors supports a federal cap on greenhouse gases, using energy more efficiently and more clean domestic energy. “States are where the green economy is being built,” the Coalition’s Statement of Principles said. “Therefore we pledge to work with Congress and the Administration to develop a strong state-federal partnership to create and preserve our jobs and industry, keep the United States competitive abroad, and at the same time address climate threats.”

Coalition states and territories include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Guam, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.