SEATTLE — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday the state will move forward with efforts to promote clean energy and tackle climate change despite “foolishness” from President Donald Trump.
“I’m proud to say our state will remain undeterred and we will not be slowed one iota by the foolishness that we’re hearing out of the White House,” the Democrat told reporters at a media briefing in Olympia.
Asked about his response to a potential shift in focus at the Environmental Protection Agency under Trump, Inslee also said the state “can be and must be masters our own destiny” when it comes to fighting carbon pollution in the state.
“We see no reason to believe we will receive assistance from the federal government under this president,” he added.
The AP earlier reported that members of Trump’s transition team at EPA this week issued what has described as a temporary freeze on all contract approvals and grant awards. The Trump administration is also scrutinizing studies and data published by scientists at the EPA, while new work is under a “temporary hold” before it can be released.
Inslee told reporters Thursday that Washington state is already taking action to reduce carbon pollution and will continue to do so. He noted that the state recently passed a clean-air rule that limits greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s top carbon polluters and has backed efforts to boost clean energy technology and research.
“Our state is not going to be slowed down with what we do. We’re not going to be stopped by people who believe this is a hoax,” said Inslee, who has made climate a top priority since taking office in 2013.
Inslee is currently trying to convince state lawmakers to approve a new state tax on carbon emissions from fossil fuels to raise nearly $2 billion in the first year for education, clean energy, transportation, forest health and other projects.
