Massachusetts Joins Climate Alliance After Trump's Paris Accord Announcement

Gov. Charlie Baker reaffirmed the state's commitment to battling climate change by announcing Friday afternoon Massachusetts has joined the U.S. Climate Alliance.

Baker and Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, two the four Republican governors in New England, announced separately they would join a coalition of states including California, New York, and Washington. The alliance is committed to fulfilling the tenets of the Paris Climate Agreement despite President Trump's decision this week to withdraw from the international pact.

"As the Commonwealth reiterates its commitment to exceed the emission reduction targets of the Paris Climate Agreement, today we join the U.S. Climate Alliance to expand on our efforts while partnering with other states to combat climate change," Baker said in a statement. "After speaking with Governors Cuomo and Scott, our administration looks forward to continued, bipartisan collaboration with other states to protect the environment, grow the economy and deliver a brighter future to the next generation."

Earlier in the day Somerville became the latest city to pledge to support the goals of the Paris accord.

Materials from Matt Murphy of the State House News Service was used in this report