NECEC released the following statement from Peter Rothstein, President of the Northeast Clean Energy Council regarding President Trump's announcement today to pull the US out of the Paris Climate Accord.

"Withdrawing the US's commitment to addressing climate change through the Paris Climate Accord stands to have a disruptive impact on the country’s historical leadership in driving innovative technologies and new competitive industries, and will threaten some of the nation's economic competitiveness," said Peter Rothstein, President of the Northeast Clean Energy Council. "At the same time, much of the country including the Northeastern states, cities and private sector leaders are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating our transition to a clean energy economy because it’s clear that clean energy is one of the fastest growing industries in the world and climate change is one of the most critical global threats of the 21st century."

Rothstein adds, "Here in the Northeast, we have proven that commitments to addressing climate change and accelerating the clean energy transition through policies like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Renewable Portfolio Standards, and more have led to double-digit clean energy job growth in many of our states, increased our economic competitiveness, lowered the cost of electricity, and helped protect the environment. The clean energy industry is proving that climate change can be addressed in ways that bring economic growth and improvements in living conditions in emerging, developing and developed economies alike. This progress will continue in the Northeast and many areas of the US and the world in spite of the lack of federal leadership."

About NECEC. NECEC is the premier voice of businesses building a world-class clean energy hub in the Northeast, helping clean energy companies start, scale and succeed with our unique business, innovation and policy leadership. NECEC includes the Northeast Clean Energy Council (a nonprofit business member organization), and NECEC Institute (a nonprofit focused on industry research, innovation, policy development and communications initiatives). NECEC brings together business leaders and key stakeholders to engage in influential policy discussions and business initiatives while building connections that propel the clean energy industry forward. www.necec.org