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Ahead of Paris Trip, Maryland Democrats Call on Governor Hogan to Join U.S. Climate Alliance

Jun 16, 2017

Annapolis, Md. – As Governor Hogan prepares for his trip to Paris, the home of the historic climate accords, Maryland Democratic congressional leaders and state lawmaker environmental champions called on Governor Larry Hogan to re-evaluate his current refusal to join the U.S. Climate Alliance.

Hogan’s trip follows President Trump’s recent decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement.

Trump’s reckless actions have prompted states across the country to form a pact, the U.S. Climate Alliance, to continue their commitment to meeting the targets of the Paris agreement and fight global climate change.

While other Republican governors and neighboring states have joined the effort, Hogan has so far sent “strong signals” that he will not commit Maryland to lead with the other states.

“I strongly urge Governor Hogan to join leaders throughout our state, and across the nation, and commit to upholding the Paris climate agreement in Maryland,” said Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05). “Climate change is real, and has already had severe consequences for the Chesapeake Bay region. Our state should be leading the nation by example, and failure to act on climate change is not an option. I hope the Governor will reconsider his position, and ensure Maryland continues to be a leader on environmental issues by rejecting the Trump Administration’s harmful actions on climate.”

 

“Maryland’s landmark, Democratic-led initiative, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act, was a much-needed state action,” said State Senator Paul G. Pinsky, vice chair of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee and lead senate sponsor of the act. “With Pres. Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Accords, we need fifty  — coordinated — state actions to show the world that Mr. Trump doesn’t speak for the states he represents. Gov. Hogan needs to sign on now. Silence is complicity.”

 

“President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement undermines a key part of the fight against climate change.  In the absence of U.S. participation, it’s important for States to express to the world that many in the United States support climate action. The best way for Maryland to do that is to join the U.S. Climate Alliance,” said Delegate Dana Stein, vice chair of the Environment and Transportation Committee. “We hope Governor Larry Hogan will bring Maryland to the table for those discussions.”

 

“In Maryland, we have vulnerable coastlines where the jobs from tourism and farming are in jeopardy with climate change, and the health of Marylanders is at risk,” said Maryland Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Matthews. “We need a Governor who sees the big picture and has the courage to stand up to President Trump and his selfish, short-sighted opposition to a global commitment to address this state of emergency.”