U.S. Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) this week announced the new Conservative Climate Caucus, which boasts more than 50 members, including various ranking members and representatives from every committee with jurisdiction over climate policy.
Rep. Curtis, who will serve as caucus chairman, said the group will showcase conservative solutions to lower emissions while enhancing economic prosperity.
“The goal of the Conservative Climate Caucus is to bring members of the Republican party together to educate each other on climate policies that will make real progress on reducing emissions through American innovation and resources,” Rep. Curtis said.
According to Rep. Curtis’ office, the caucus work will strive to educate House Republicans on climate policies and legislation consistent with conservative values, organize congressional member and staff delegations to better understand technologies and issues related to climate, and bring Republicans to the table to fight against radical progressive climate proposals that would hurt the U.S. economy, American workers, and national security.
Rep. Curtis added that reducing emissions is the ultimate goal, not reducing energy choices.
“Proposals to reduce emissions and be good stewards of the earth do not have to hurt the American economy – in fact they do the opposite,” Rep. Curtis said. “There is a way to lower global emissions without sacrificing American jobs and principles – and I believe Republicans are the ones that can and should be leading the charge.”
Rich Powell, executive director of ClearPath, a nonprofit that focuses on policies that reduce emissions, praised the new caucus. “Republicans have real solutions for climate change – ones that are technologically realistic, economically feasible, and politically sustainable,” he said.