U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14), vice ranking member of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee, which has oversight over the U.S. Department of Energy, EPA and clean energy policy, released the following statement regarding President Trump's announcement that he is quitting the landmark Paris Climate Accord:

“President Trump's decision to quit the international climate agreement deals a harsh economic blow to Florida families and businesses.  By exiting the Paris Climate Accord, Trump is saddling Floridians with higher costs and ignoring the boom in higher-paying jobs tied to clean energy.  Trump also is ceding America’s leadership in the world to other nations with disregard for the economic damage to our fellow Americans.

“The rising costs of the changing climate are real for Florida families and businesses, and the threat to my neighbors and Floridians across the state due to climate change demands leadership, not abdication of responsibility.

“Trump states that the Paris Climate Accord is costing the United States a fortune, but as in so many other areas, Trump stands the economic argument on its head – striking at the heart of the economic boost that Florida and other states enjoyed due to expanding job opportunities in clean energy, green building, solar, energy efficiency and co-generation.  Clean energy jobs are on the upswing, much more so than jobs in industries tied to fossil fuels.  An analysis by ICF International estimates that investing in clean energy would create 1 million new jobs in America by 2030 and 2 million jobs by 2050.  Florida was on track to see 109,000 new jobs tied to clean energy construction and manufacturing by 2030 and 206,000 jobs by 2050.

“The Paris Climate Accord would make important steps to ensure a clean planet so we can be healthy at home.  Trump is making light of this grave and pressing worldwide threat.  International cooperation is not another contestant on a reality show that he can fire.  Working with allies and forming diplomatic ties are far more important in this volatile world than Trump realizes.  His action today sends the wrong message, that other countries will lead where we have done so in the past.  With today’s action, along with his policy-by-tweet outlook of America’s role in the world, Trump is taking America in the wrong direction and empowering our adversaries.”

###