​North Dakota will not join U.S. Climate Alliance

BISMARCK - North Dakota will not be joining the U.S. Climate Alliance, even though the state’s neighbor, Minnesota, joined on Monday.

So far, the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Minnesota, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, have joined the growing movement to stand by the United State’s commitment to the Paris Climate Accord signed under President Obama’s Administration.

"The governor does not plan to join the Climate Alliance,” Governor Doug Burgum said in a statement. “The Paris Climate Accord is an unenforceable agreement that was entered into without congressional approval and represents a misguided attempt to address climate change through regulation rather than innovation.

“North Dakota will continue to pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy, reducing emissions through renewable sources such as wind and carbon-capture initiatives by our coal industry. Our state is proof that innovation and regulatory certainty can stimulate private-sector investment and provide a viable path forward for both traditional and renewable sources while protecting our environment and ensuring energy security for current and future generations.”

The Paris Climate Accord, also known as the Paris Climate Change Agreement, was part of the a United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and planned to deal with greenhouse gas emissions, mitigation, adaptation, and finance starting in the year 2020. The agreement was signed by 195 UNFCC members from across the world in 2015, leaving only Nicaragua, because the country determined the efforts weren’t vast enough, and Syria, currently fighting a bloody civil war, as non-signatories.

President Donald Trump made the announcement of the United States withdrawing from the accord on June 1.

“The Paris Climate Accord is simply the latest example of Washington entering into an agreement that disadvantages the United States to the exclusive benefit of other countries, leaving American workers -- who I love -- and taxpayers to absorb the cost in terms of lost jobs, lower wages, shuttered factories, and vastly diminished economic production,” Trump said.

“Thus, as of today, the United States will cease all implementation of the non-binding Paris Accord and the draconian financial and economic burdens the agreement imposes on our country. This includes ending the implementation of the nationally determined contribution and, very importantly, the Green Climate Fund which is costing the United States a vast fortune.”

In response to Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. formed the alliance in an attempt to meet or exceed the targets in reaching emissions 26 to 28 percent under the Clean Power Plan, according to Sam Fettig, the press secretary of the Office of the Governor of Minnesota.

“I am very pleased to announce that Minnesota will join the U.S. Climate Alliance, to uphold the tenets of the Paris Climate Change Agreement in our state,” Governor Mark Dayton said. “President Trump’s withdrawal will cause serious damage to our environment and our economy. Nevertheless, Minnesota and other states will show the world what we can achieve by working together to conserve energy, to use cleaner and renewable energy, and to leave a livable planet to our children and grandchildren.”

President Trump’s order withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Accord sparked heated statements from governors across the nation.

"Those of us who understand science and feel the urgency of protecting our children's air and water are as united as ever in confronting one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime,” Inslee said. “Our collective efforts to act on climate will ensure we maintain the United State's commitment to curb carbon pollution while advancing a clean energy economy that will bring good-paying jobs to America's workers.”

“Connecticut has been a national leader in combating climate change and we have no plans of slowing down our efforts,” Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy said. “In the absence of leadership from the White House in addressing climate change, it is incumbent upon the states to take action in order to protect their residents.”

"Delaware is the country’s lowest-lying state and with 381 miles of coastline, climate change is a very real threat to our future,” Delaware Governor John Carney said. "As sea levels rise, more than 17,000 Delaware homes, nearly 500 miles of roadway and thousands of acres of wildlife habitat including our critical wetlands are at risk of permanent inundation.”

“The ‘America First’ doctrine should put our children first too," Oregon Governor Kate Brown said. “Future generations deserve to inherit a world they can thrive in, not one that plays politics and ignores the fact our climate is changing. Despite the decision by the White House to retreat, it is our moral obligation to fulfill the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

“Climate change is a real problem for all and requires immediate action to ensure future generations are left with a sustainable planet,” Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló said. “Our administration is committed to protecting the environment. As a governor, who is also a scientist, I value science and data as primary tools in the decision making process. As such, I strongly oppose the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.”

“As the first state in the Trump era to take executive action to limit carbon emissions and create clean energy jobs, Virginia is proud to join the Climate Alliance,” Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said. “President Trump's announcement to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement does not speak for the states and cities that are committed to fighting climate change and paving the way for a new energy economy. If the federal government insists on abdicating leadership on this issue, it will be up to the American people to step forward - and in Virginia we are doing just that.”