CHICAGO, Ill. – On Friday, state Rep. Carol Ammons, D-Urbana, and the Illinois Legislative Green Caucus held a press conference calling on Governor Bruce Rauner to be a leader in climate consciousness and join the U.S. Climate Alliance.
“On the national level, President Trump is turning a blind eye to science and logic, in favor of profits for industries that pollute our environment,” said Ammons. “On the state level, economically disadvantaged communities are likely to bear the largest burden of the president’s decision to break the stability of our relationships with long-term allies because these communities are in the most need of the jobs and investment offered by clean energy”
Friday’s press conference follows the decision of President Trump to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. Ammons is one of dozens of elected officials who signed an open letter to Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner calling on him to join the U.S. Climate Alliance, formed by the governors of California, New York and Washington. Shortly after its formation, the Alliance also was also joined by Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia as members of the U.S. Climate Alliance. The states in the alliance are committing to upholding the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change within their borders by achieving the U.S. goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions 26-28% by 2025 and meeting the targets of the federal Clean Power Plan.
“Once again, Trump’s dangerous actions to leave the Paris Agreement do not speak for most of us. Americans disapprove of this decision at a rate of 2-1,” said Ammons. “It’s time for Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner to join these voices, and commit Illinois to a bold climate action plan to put Illinois on a path to get to 100% clean energy while attracting jobs in the booming clean energy sector. Clean energy is truly a winning solution for all.”
Ammons represents the 103rd District, which includes the Champaign-Urbana area. For more information, please contact Rep. Ammons’ district office at 217-531-1660 or Assistance@StateRepCarolAmmons.com.