海角大神

Citing the economic benefits of clean energy, 17 governors 聽鈥� including four Republicans 鈥撀爃ave agreed to expand clean energy programs involving solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal power technologies.

Titled the 鈥淕overnors鈥� Accord for a New Energy Future,鈥� the signed document pledged the collaboration of the 17 states to make policies and build renewable power infrastructure without ever mentioning the term 鈥渃limate change.鈥�

In a media conference call Tuesday, Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown of California said they had deliberately avoided the issue of climate change due to its divisive nature, instead focusing on economic incentives and protecting resources for posterity.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a very sharp cleavage in the United States on this issue of climate change, and it has a lot of partisan coloration,鈥� he said to reporters. 鈥淲e want to move forward. We want to get done important stuff without getting bogged down in the larger controversy.鈥�

But the contents of the pact deal with the specific consequences of climate change, such as air pollution and extreme weather.

鈥淓xtreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, wildfires and sea-level rise, can negatively impact ,鈥� the document reads. 鈥淓mbracing new energy solutions can provide more durable and resilient infrastructure, and enable economic growth, while protecting the health of our communities and natural resources.鈥�

Goals listed in the pact include integrating alternative power sources into regional electrical grids, investing in clean transportation options such as biofuel and hydrogen, and cooperating with federal agencies in promoting a national shift towards clean energy.

鈥淭his is a powerful message that they鈥檙e sending across the country,鈥� Todd Foley, chief strategy officer at the American Council On Renewable Energy, tells 海角大神. 鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a number of states led by their chief executives coming together on a bipartisan basis from virtually every part of the country talking about how important renewable energy is to economic development.鈥�

鈥淥n behalf of the [renewable energy] industry, we鈥檙e quite pleased,鈥� he added.

Given the temporary halting of President Barack Obama鈥檚 Clean Power Plan by the Supreme Court, experts say the governors鈥� accord is an auspicious step in curbing the effects of climate change.

鈥淲hile the court may have temporarily blocked the Clean Power Plan, toward wind and solar energy, affordable electric vehicles, and a more modern and efficient electric grid,鈥� Rob Sargent, senior director of Environment America鈥檚 clean energy program, told the Scientific American.

鈥淜udos to these governors for pledging to forge a path forward for climate progress and clean air."

Not every governor, however, has been on the same page on energy policy in the past. As Debra Kahn of Scientific American points out, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R), was one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the Clean Power Plan.

But according to Mr. Foley, most of the governors have cultivated substantial clean energy policies separately in their respective states and are now sending a message to the rest of the country.

鈥淲hat鈥檚 most important is the leadership that these governors are demonstrating,鈥� he explains.

鈥淲e already know most of these states have championed renewable energy policies. What鈥檚 interesting is that they鈥檙e coming together to talk about role of renewable going forward.鈥�