WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement after President Trump announced he plans to pull the United States out of the landmark, 195-signatory Paris Climate Accord, which would significantly slow the threat of global climate change:

“This is a shameful retreat by President Trump that places the interests of polluters ahead of national security, our economic future, and the common good.  Even some of President Trump’s closest advisors and family members reportedly know he made the wrong call. 

“Today’s announcement is a setback that will harm the environment, our economy, and public health.

“However, momentum to build a cleaner, healthier energy future is still on our side.  American business leaders and investors aren’t waiting around for President Trump – they are already taking action because they see the great potential of clean tech and energy efficiency.  They don’t want to lose out and they understand retreating from the Paris agreement is a short-sighted blow to America’s long-term economic competitiveness.  A big worry is that the President’s announcement will likely result in more clean energy jobs and investment migrating from the United States to China  - that’s money going somewhere other than manufacturing towns looking for more work. 

“The American people strongly support common sense solutions to mitigate the threats of climate change.  We will continue to make climate progress on the state and local level.  That means making smart investments in clean energy development, holding big polluters accountable, and increasing the resilience of critical infrastructure from extreme weather and climate-related impacts.

“Confronting climate change and reducing greenhouses gasses will take an international effort.  This is a temporary and costly setback.  But eventually, America will lead again.”