Rhode Island Governor Carcieri signs onto Governors’ Energy and Climate Coalition

Advocates for Active State-Federal Partnership

May 21, 2009 -- Rhode Island Governor Donald L. Carcieri today reaffirmed Rhode Island’s role as a leading voice on national climate policy and a champion of energy consumers by signing on to the newly formed 30-state Governors’ Energy and Climate Coalition, which will work with Congress to find common ground for a comprehensive national energy strategy and climate change action.

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The Coalition today pledged to work with Congress to pass legislation that will address climate change and provide the nation with a comprehensive energy strategy. The bipartisan group of Governors outlined two principles - supporting comprehensive federal policy and advocating an active state-federal partnership -- that the coalition would promote "at every opportunity."

“Rhode Island has taken the national lead in promoting the development of renewable and green energy initiatives,” said Governor Carcieri. “As a nation, we must develop an energy policy that creates jobs, protects the consumers and environment, and lessens our dependence on foreign energy sources. As Governors, we are in a unique position to assist the federal government in developing a sound energy policy that leverages each states natural resources.”

“For too long the states have had to fill the void left by federal inaction on national climate policy,” continued Carcieri. Rhode Island is poised to be the first state in the nation to develop a utility-scale off shore, deep water wind project, generating 15 percent of the state’s energy needs. Rhode Island also enjoys a national reputation for protecting the environment. During Carcieri’s tenure in office, Rhode Island has preserved more open space than ever before and has dramatically improved the quality of and accessibility to Narragansett Bay. In 2005, Governor Carcieri issued an executive order calling for all state buildings to be LEED certified.

"I will be working to ensure that any federal legislation enacted is consistent with our renewable energy goals and doesn't negatively impact our environment or economy," the Governor said. "In the end, a successful comprehensive energy strategy will have to reflect states' needs and efforts while guiding a national course that protects the environment, industry and consumers."

"States are where the green economy is being built," the Governors said, pledging to work with Congress and the Administration "to develop a strong state-federal partnership to create and preserve our jobs and industry, keep the United States competitive abroad, and at the same time address climate change threats."

The coalition represents states from every region of the country, and will work together to inform sound state and federal climate policy. The coalition's efforts will be facilitated by the Georgetown State-Federal Climate Resource Center at Georgetown Law, which provides policy support for state and federal efforts to address climate change.

The coalition states include: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Source: Rhode Island Governor