Nevada withdraws from greenhouse pact as Gov. Joe Lombardo pulls away from the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of more than two dozengovernors following Paris Agreement climate goals.
Lombardo, a Republican, is the only governor elected or re-elected in 2022 to withdraw their state from the alliance, which aims to have its 25 member states commit to implementing policies that advance the climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.
In a July 5 letter withdrawing Nevada from the group, Lombardo stated that the goals of the alliance “conflict with Nevada’s energy policy objectives.”
Those energy objectives are outlined in an executive order Lombardo signed earlier this year that focuses on “developing and maintaining a diverse energy supply portfolio” in Nevada, Lombardo wrote, while “utilizing a balanced approach to electric and natural gas energy supply and transportation fuels.”
President Joe Biden hands a pen to House Nancy Pelosi (2nd L), alongside other members of the House, after signing a bill dealing with greenhouse gas emissions, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, in Washington, on June 30, 2021. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
Environmental groups have criticized the executive order for moving the state away from a central goal of the Nevada Climate Strategy, a Sisolak-era policy calling for an orderly transition away from fossil fuels, including natural gas, to reach a statutory goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Lombardo’s departure from the alliance is disappointing, according to Evan Westrup, communications director for the alliance.
“As unprecedented wildfire smoke, record heat, and catastrophic floods sweep across the country, we need every state and every governor – no matter their politics – confronting this crisis,” he wrote in an email. “We’re disappointed Gov. Lombardo has decided to move in another direction and should he reconsider, our door is open.”
Former President Barack Obama signed the United States on as a leading member of the agreement during its establishment at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in 2015.
But in 2017, former President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement, stating that it was imposing “draconian financial and economic burdens” on the nation. President Joe Biden then recommitted the United States to the Paris Agreement on his first day in office.
After Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington and former governors Andrew Cuomo of New York and Jerry Brown of California launched the U.S. Climate Alliance.
“This new agreement reaffirms our commitments to decarbonize our economies at a time when the consequences of victory or defeat in this effort have never been more acute. Our partnerships speak to just how diverse and interconnected the green energy economy has already become. We know where it goes from here—onward to a cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient energy economy that averts climate calamity at the same time. Together we will invest in an equitable transition to a cleaner future, build the climate infrastructure we need, and protect our communities from climate-driven wildfires, droughts, heat and flooding,” Inslee said in a statement.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has become a leader among the U.S. Climate Alliance as California is constantly making changes to environmental laws within the state.
“In California, we punch above our weight when it comes to climate action—but our actions can only do so much without the rest of the world at our side. The Pacific Coast is raising the bar for tackling the climate crisis while also ensuring every community is included in our efforts. The West will continue to lead the way toward a carbon-free future that supports our economy, our people and our planet,” said Gov. Newsom.
While working toward the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, member states track and report their progress, accelerate policies to promote energy changes and reduce carbon emissions, and focus on equity and “environmental justice.”
Nationally, 25 governors are alliance members, including Republican Phil Scott of Vermont. Most recently, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, joined the alliance.
Elizabeth Dowell
Author
Elizabeth is a SoCal based reporter covering issues in Los Angeles and throughout the state for The Epoch Times. She is passionate about creating truthful and accurate stories for readers to connect with. When she’s not reporting, she enjoys writing poetry, playing basketball, embarking on new adventures and spending quality time with her family and friends.
