Fighting for Renewable Energy that Curbs Climate Change
In the last 90 years, nuisance flooding along the Potomac and Anacostia riverfronts has increased 300 percent because of sea level rise, due in part to global warming. In response to the threat of climate change, the District of Columbia has embraced renewable energy and has a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2032. This plan will help protect our planet, lower energy costs, and add more good-paying jobs.
However, the Trump administration wants to change rules to favor fossil fuel electricity suppliers. This move will stifle the growth of renewable energy in favor of increased reliance on fossil fuels—thus increasing pollution and accelerating climate change.
Last month, OAG filed official comments with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission opposing proposed rules that interfere with the District’s decision to embrace renewable energy.
AG Racine, along with attorneys general from Maryland, Illinois, Delaware and New Jersey, penned an op-ed in The Hill warning the Trump administration that if they continue to penalize states for embracing renewable energy, we will continue to fight back:
With the future of our climate at stake — as well as our ability to produce sufficient energy to sustain our American way of life — our states have put in place policies to promote renewable energy, improve energy efficiency programs, and reduce our reliance on finite and heavily polluting coal and gas.
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Unfortunately, the Trump administration is willing to sacrifice our states’ clean energy progress, and our legal rights to shape the clean, affordable energy system that our citizens want, so it can prop up outdated and expensive coal plants.