Vermont will join climate alliance

CORRECTION: This article was corrected to show that Jerry Brown is the current governor of California.

Vermont will join the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of states continuing to work towards the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Republican Gov. Phil Scott announced the move on Friday, the day after President Donald Trump said he planned to withdraw the United States from the climate accord. 

The alliance was formed on Thursday by three Democratic governors, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, California Gov. Jerry  Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.

"This administration is abdicating its leadership and taking a backseat to other countries in the global fight against climate change,” Cuomo said in a statement announcing the coalition.

Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut have also joined. 

Scott said he and Baker, also a Republican, sent a letter to Trump last month urging him to remain in the agreement. 

Vermont and Massachusetts began discussing next steps immediately after Trump's announcement. Scott continued to have conversations with New York, Washington and Massachusetts on Friday, he said. 

"Growing our economy and protecting our environment by supporting cleaner and more affordable energy and transportation choices can go together," Scott said.

Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger and Montpelier Mayor John Hollar also joined with 150 other mayors to commit to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement. 
 

Contact Jess Aloe at 802-660-1874 or jaloe@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @jess_aloe