Leaders in U.S. Economy Say “We Are Still In” on Paris Climate Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 5, 2017 ­— More than 1,000 U.S. governors, mayors, businesses, investors, colleges and universities, representing the broadest cross section of the American economy assembled in pursuit of climate action, today declared their intent to continue to ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing carbon emissions.

Together, these leaders are sending a strong signal to the international community and the 194 other parties to the Paris Agreement about the continued commitment of the United States to ambitious action on climate change absent leadership at the federal level. In the aggregate, the signatories are delivering concrete emissions reductions that will help meet America's emissions pledge under the Paris Agreement.

Signatories number over 1,000 and include some of the most populous states and cities in the U.S., including California and cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Houston as well as smaller cities like Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Dubuque, Iowa. A mixture of private universities, state schools and community colleges, both small and large, have added their institutions to the statement. More than a dozen fortune 500 companies in addition to hundreds of small businesses have also signed the statement.

The statement calls the Trump administration’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the climate accord “a grave mistake that endangers the American public and hurts America’s economic security and diplomatic reputation.” The signers all understand that the Paris Agreement is a blueprint for job creation, stability and global prosperity and that accelerating the United States’ clean energy transition is an opportunity—not a liability—to create jobs, spur innovation, promote trade and ensure American competitiveness. By declaring that “we are still in,” the signatories are putting the best interests of their constituents, customers, students and communities first while assuring the rest of the world that American leadership on climate change extends well beyond the federal government.

“Clean energy has come such a long way in such a short time because there are millions, if not billions, who want to live a better life on a healthier planet” said Tom Matzzie, Founder and CEO of CleanChoice Energy. “In many states in this country and the District of Columbia, consumers can choose to source 100% wind and solar via retail energy choice. Having control over their utility bill allows consumers to vote with their wallet and keep growing American access to clean, healthy, home-grown renewable power."

In addition to today’s statement, since President Trump’s announcement to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, at minimum 211 Climate Mayors have adopted the Paris Agreement goals for their cities, currently 9 Governors have formed the bipartisan Governor’s Climate Alliance, and at least 17 governors have released individual statements standing by Paris. Today’s statement embraces this rapidly growing movement of subnational and civil society leaders, by announcing that not only are these leaders stepping forward, they are stepping forward together.

To view the full statement, quotes and list of signatories, visit: http://www.WeAreStillIn.com.

About CleanChoice Energy

CleanChoice Energy is a leading renewable energy company empowering residential and commercial customers to reduce emissions and support clean energy through 100 percent renewable electricity. CleanChoice Energy's mission is to make clean energy accessible for everybody. CleanChoice Energy supplies only clean renewable energy to customers, operating in eight states and the District of Columbia, bringing cleaner air closer to home. The company is a founding member of the Coalition for Community Solar Access, recently passed $1 million in total corporate donations to environmental and social impact organizations, and has been awarded the highest level of B Corp certification. For more information or to become a customer, visit: www.CleanChoiceEnergy.com.

Contact: press@cleanchoiceenergy.com