In the News

May 26, 2017

President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Trump:

We write to you as Co-Chairs of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, a caucus of 53 Members in the United States House of Representatives, to urge you to keep the United States a party to the Paris Climate Agreement.

Retreating from the global climate effort while other countries position themselves to lead the clean energy transition and dominate growing energy markets would damage U.S. competitiveness. We fear that removing our country from the deal would hurt U.S. jobs, business interests, and our national security. Over a thousand U.S. companies have already come out in support of the agreement, including Shell and ExxonMobil. Global investors representing more than $15 trillion in assets are calling for world leaders to support the pact as well. These businesses and investors want to make sure the United States has a seat at the table during important climate negotiations. Additionally, pulling out of the deal could lead to international retaliation that puts our economic interests and strategic security partnerships at risk.

Remaining a party to the Paris Agreement and taking steps to mitigate climate change will enhance U.S. economic competitiveness. A new report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) finds that tackling climate change could help grow the world’s 20 biggest economies by around five percent. According to the OECD Secretary General Angel Gurría, "Far from being a dampener on growth, integrating climate action into growth policies can have a positive economic impact."

The Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition members are also very concerned about the impacts of climate pollution in communities across the United States. Extreme weather and climate disasters in 2016 alone caused nearly 300 deaths and over $50 billion in damage. And increased air pollution resulting from climate change puts our constituents at risk of increased asthma attacks, respiratory illness, and even premature death. Americans are concerned about the dangers of climate change, and for this reason nearly 70% of voters believe the U.S. should remain a party to the Paris Agreement.

As you head into this weekend’s G7 Summit and discuss climate change with other world leaders, we are calling on you to put Americans’ economy, health, and security first by remaining in the Paris Agreement and continuing to participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process. It is critical that American families and businesses continue to have a seat at the table.

Sincerely,

Gerald E. Connolly
SEEC Co-Chair

Doris Matsui
SEEC Co-Chair

Paul Tonko
SEEC Co-Chair