Vermont will join a coalition of states intent on countering President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate change agreement, Gov. Phil Scott announced Friday.
The governors of three states — New York, California and Washington — announced Thursday plans to form the U.S. Climate Alliance, an effort meant to achieve the Paris agreement’s goals of reducing carbon emissions.
Late Friday afternoon, after lawmakers and environmental activists called for Vermont to play a part, Scott announced the state will also join the coalition.
“I am proud to join this bipartisan group of governors and reaffirm Vermont’s commitment to fighting climate change through the U.S. Climate Alliance,” Scott said in a written statement.
On Wednesday, the governor said he and Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a fellow Republican, sent Trump a letter urging him not to withdraw. Then on Thursday, Scott issued a statement that criticized the withdrawal decision, and he promised to continue working toward reducing carbon emissions.
Around the same time, the founding states created the U.S. Climate Alliance — but Vermont was not asked to join them, Scott spokeswoman Brittney Wilson said. “This is the first we’ve heard of it,” she said Thursday night.
On Friday morning, Vermont Sen. Chris Pearson (P/D-Chittenden) said he planned to nudge the governor on the issue by sponsoring a resolution in the legislature calling for Vermont join the alliance.
“It would be nice to see the governor take the initiative himself, but the legislature can do it as well,” Pearson said.
Hours later, the governor announced Vermont had joined. Massachusetts, too, has joined the alliance.
Meanwhile, several environmental groups planned a rally at 6 p.m. Friday in response to Trump’s decision, starting at Democracy Square on Main Street in Burlington.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
The agenda to support the “global warming” scenario is a reflection of the globalist influence in New England. The economic controls this notion provides is the purpose for spreading this disinformation. Vested economic interests do not want people to realize the real situation we face with the Grand Solar Minimum which is upon us and will be particularly hard felt in New England. Global cooling is the real problem.
Global Cooling Rundown Week of May 16-19, 2017 | Mini Ice Age 2015-2035
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_xc-U4BDg…
How much money does Vermont plan on sending? The big Paris climate party isn’t cheap.
What a dog and pony show being put on by these governors. First Trump never said he doesn’t support environmental issues. Second he said the reason was because the accord is a farce where China and India, two of the biggest polluters will not be required to follow the agreement and the US will suffer economically for it. We don’t need to sign a treaty to do what is best for the environment.
As a Vermonter I am opposed to the state taking a political position favoring or unfavoring a particular agenda without the vote of its citizens. Granted, we tend to be more Liberal in our voting than other states, but it still is not grounds for decision-making without consulting those of us who live here.
Thank you Phil Scott for doing this.
The Paris Treaty was never ratified by the Senate. Vermont, along with the other states mentioned will unilaterally and illegally enter into a foreign treaty rejected by the President of the United States. The Constitution is very clear about this. No state shall enter into any treaty.
As usual, Leftists, and that would include most of the Republican officials in Vermont, consider themselves above the laws they don’t like.