Castor Warns Trump Climate Move Means Higher Energy, Insurance Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), former Chair of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis (SCCC) and Ranking Democratic on the House Energy Subcommittee, released the following statement on President Donald Trump's shortsighted decision to withdraw the United States from 66 international treaties, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

"The heating climate and extreme weather are costing American families significantly-driving up energy bills, insurance premiums, and health care costs, while fueling increasingly destructive hurricanes and wildfires that leave communities struggling to recover.

"President Trump promised to lower costs for American families, but he has done the opposite and left American families holding the bag. While Trump calls climate change a hoax, dismisses the affordability crisis, and pulls America out of the most important international scientific organizations, he boosts polluters and cronies who make life more expensive and dangerous. As Trump walks away from international partnerships and strong commitments to boost cleaner, cheaper energy, our adversaries are cheering, while Americans are left with higher costs and uncertainty.

"Climate change is causing economic instability at a time when people need solutions and action on cleaner, cheaper energy. Protecting Americans requires strong U.S. leadership and cooperation with our allies, including through partnerships like the UNFCCC and IPCC. Walking away undermines more than three decades of American leadership, forfeits trillions of dollars in economic opportunities in clean energy and manufacturing, and weakens our health, economic security, and national security.

"House Democrats, state and city leaders, and the private sector will continue to be a partner to our international allies in addressing the climate crisis. As energy costs continue to rise, working families, seniors, and small businesses deserve leadership that will lower costs, create jobs, clean up pollution, and protect public health."