Montana Governor Steve Bullock today issued an executive order to join the U.S. Climate Alliance. In his announcement, he stated, “Climate change is already impacting our way of life and our economy. How we choose to respond to the changes around us offers a pivotal opportunity to both safeguard our traditional strengths and diversify and grow new opportunities for our future. Like all difficult issues we tackle here in Montana, I know we can find a path forward by getting together, rolling up our sleeves, and focusing on the values we share in common.”

His announcement comes on the heels of the two-year anniversary of the U.S. Climate Alliance, formed on June 1, 2017 in response to President Trump’s announced intent to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.  With Montana as its newest member, the Alliance represents 55 percent of the U.S. population, an $11.7 trillion economy, and 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The climate and clean energy policies of Alliance states have created over 1.7 million renewable energy and energy efficiency jobs, equivalent to over 60 percent of all clean energy jobs in the United States.

 By joining the Alliance, governors commit to:

• Implement policies that advance the goals of the Paris Agreement, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emission by at least 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025
• Track and report progress to the global community in appropriate settings, including when the world convenes to take stock of the Paris Agreement, and
• Accelerate new and existing policies to reduce carbon pollution and promote clean energy deployment at the state and federal level.

In addition to joining the Alliance, Governor Steve Bullock ordered the creation of the Montana Climate Solutions Council, which will provide recommendations and strategies for the state to:

• Develop a state Climate Solutions Plan that includes recommendations toward achieving long-term net greenhouse gas neutrality, with an interim goal of achieving net zero GHG emissions for average annual electric loads by 2035;
• Work with the Montana University System to build resilience across the state; and
• Advance technologies that support low and negative emissions while addressing the transition needs of communities through economic development and workforce strategies.

U.S. Climate Alliance Executive Director Julie Cerqueira welcomed Governor Steve Bullock’s announcement, stating that “In just over two years, the Alliance has grown from three governors to 25, sending a strong signal that state leaders across the country are continuing to rise to the climate change challenge and build bipartisan solutions that aim to make their states more resilient, equitable, and climate-friendly. We welcome Governor Bullock and Montana into the Alliance and applaud the efforts he outlined in today’s executive order. His vision for Montana will not only start to address the state’s largest source of GHG emissions but will also spur technological innovation and economic development in communities across the state.”