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STATEMENT: Moving Toward a 100 Percent Clean Future Is the Only Safe and Just Response to the Climate Crisis
Press Statement

STATEMENT: Moving Toward a 100 Percent Clean Future Is the Only Safe and Just Response to the Climate Crisis

Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. A. Donald McEachin (D-VA), joined by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Debra Haaland (D-NM) and over 150 House leaders, introduced the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019. The bill commits to moving the country toward a 100 percent clean future no later than 2050. In response, Christy Goldfuss, senior vice president for Energy and Environment Policy at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:

While communities across the country are recovering from the terrifying wildfires in California and unprecedented flooding in the Midwest, President Donald Trump and his team continue to deny the science, break promises, and undermine environmental protections at the behest of fossil fuel industry executives. We know that we have no time to wait, and the most vulnerable communities suffer the consequences every moment we delay.

Today’s 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019 puts the nation on a clear path to addressing the climate crisis. Over the past few years, nine states across the country, along with Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, have enacted policies to move toward a 100 percent clean future. We must build on this work at the federal level while creating good, high-paying jobs for America’s workers and committing to solutions that reduce legacy pollution, which has disproportionately affected economically disadvantaged communities and communities of color. We applaud these House leaders for putting forward this bold target and ensuring that the United States is on a path to a 100 percent clean future. 

For more on a 100 percent clean energy future:

  • Read the “A 100 Percent Clean Future” report by John Podesta, Christy Goldfuss, Trevor Higgins, Bidisha Bhattacharyya, Alan Yu, and Kristina Costa.
  • Read the fact sheet on the policy principles and benchmarks in “A 100 Percent Clean Future.”
  • View an interactive that shows how six sector-specific benchmarks are enough to achieve roughly 90 percent of the emissions reductions required by 2050.
  • Read CAP’s fact sheet on how state policy successes can inform federal action on climate change.

For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, please contact Zachary Drennen at [email protected] or 202-741-6372.