Governor Carney Announces Support for National Clean Car Standard

U.S. Climate Alliance members issue “Nation’s Clean Car Promise” to address vehicle pollution, climate change

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and 23 other Governors of the U.S. Climate Alliance on Tuesday issued a joint statement announcing the “Nation’s Clean Car Promise” to protect citizens from vehicle pollution and to fight climate change. The following are excerpts from their statement:

“We, the undersigned 24 governors– a bipartisan coalition representing 52 percent of the U.S. population and 57 percent of the economy – stand together in calling for one strong, national clean car standard and support preserving state authority to protect our residents from vehicle pollution. Strong vehicle standards protect our communities from unnecessary air pollution and fuel costs, and they address the largest source of carbon pollution in the United States.

“We commit to continue working together to support a strong national standard and issue the ‘Nation’s Clean Car Promise.’

“We call for a common-sense approach that protects the role of states at the negotiating table and establishes a strong, national standard that:

Achieves continuous, meaningful annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and criteria pollutants while saving consumers money.
Provides regulatory certainty and enhances the ability to invest and innovate by avoiding extended periods of litigation and instability.
Preserves good jobs in the auto sector and keeps new vehicles affordable for more Americans.

“Implementing one strong, national standard as outlined in the Nation’s Clean Car Promise is in the best interest of states, automakers and consumers. It also shows the world that America is a leader on transportation and environmental protection. We will not compromise on our responsibility to protect the health of our communities, our climate, and the savings consumers stand to gain at the pump. We will continue to pursue additional concrete actions to fulfill this duty and defend against any threats.”

Click here to read the full statement from the members of the U.S. Climate Alliance.

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Delaware Joins U.S. Climate Alliance to Uphold Goals of Paris Agreement

Governor Carney’s Statement on Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Announcement on Emission Reductions

RGGI announced plan to continue emissions reduction program through 2030; reductions will help meet U.S. Climate Alliance goal

WILMINGTON, Del. – On Wednesday, the nine northeast states that comprise the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) announced their intent to continue this successful emissions reduction program through 2030. The RGGI states, including Delaware, also announced improvements to the program that will begin in 2021; these improvements will serve to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the region from the electricity sector by an additional 30 percent between 2021 and 2030. The additional reductions in emissions will help Delaware meet the goals of the U.S. Climate Alliance, which Delaware joined in June to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change. Governor Carney issued the following statement on Wednesday’s RGGI announcement.

“In the absence of federal leadership on climate change, RGGI is a critically important tool for ensuring real reductions in planet-warming greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide,” said Governor Carney. “I am pleased that the nine RGGI states came together to agree to an emissions cap that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by an additional 30 percent by 2030. RGGI is not only a national model, but a global model for collaboration on reducing harmful greenhouse gases while growing the economy and protecting public health. This will also help us meet the goals of the U.S. Climate Alliance, and we are proud to stand by the 13 other states providing necessary leadership on the issue of climate change.”

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Delaware Joins U.S. Climate Alliance to Uphold Goals of Paris Agreement

Governor Carney pledges support in fight against climate change

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Monday that Delaware has joined the U.S. Climate Alliance, a coalition of states committed to upholding the Paris Agreement to combat climate change, after President Trump announced last week that he would withdraw the U.S. from the agreement. The Climate Alliance now includes 13 members.

“Delaware is the country’s lowest-lying state and with 381 miles of coastline, climate change is a very real threat to our future,” said Governor Carney. “As sea levels rise, more than 17,000 Delaware homes, nearly 500 miles of roadway and thousands of acres of wildlife habitat including our critical wetlands are at risk of permanent inundation. Rising average temperatures and an increase in extreme weather events also pose health risks to Delawareans, and threaten our economy. The U.S. should lead in the global fight against climate change. Delaware is proud to join this coalition of states providing that necessary leadership.”

The Paris Agreement called for the U.S. to achieve a 26-28 percent reduction of emissions, from 2005 levels, by 2025. Delaware’s continued commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to clean energy also will provide economic opportunity for Delawareans, and offer significant public health and environmental benefits.

Delaware’s greenhouse gases come from three primary sources: energy production, transportation, and industry. The state is working to reduce emissions in a number of ways, including through continued participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a nine-state program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Delaware also has set renewable energy targets and increased energy efficiency with building codes, weatherization and other voluntary programs.

“Reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires action at all levels – from people using less energy and driving fuel efficient cars, to the government establishing national pollutant standards,” said Shawn Garvin, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. “We are proud of the progress the state has made and programs that help Delawareans drive cleaner cars and improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses. There is still much work to be done to reduce Delaware’s share of global greenhouse gas emissions, and I look forward to working with our sister states through the US Climate Alliance to meet Delaware’s pledge for the Paris Agreement.”

In the transportation sector, the state has incentivized the transition to cleaner fuels and electric vehicles, and now has a statewide network of charging stations.

“As we look to the future, it is imperative that we improve transportation resiliency to adapt to the effects of a changing climate. Incorporating the impact of climate change into our project planning and development, and adding more alternative fuel vehicles to our public transportation fleet each year are just two examples of how DelDOT is responding, and we thank Governor Carney for his leadership and commitment to this effort,” said Jennifer Cohan, Secretary of Transportation.

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