Dems Back #50BY30 Initiative Before Debate

Ahead of Saturday’s Democratic Presidential Primary Debate in Manchester, NextGen Climate New Hampshire announced that more than 60 elected officials and grassroots leaders in the Granite State have signed onto the #50by30 pledge, committing to the goal of powering our country with more than 50 percent clean energy by 2030.

All 10 Democratic State Senators, both Democratic Executive Councilors, and a majority of the Democratic leadership in the New Hampshire House of Representatives have joined the #50by30 campaign, responding to Granite State voters calling on their leaders to accelerate our transition to a clean energy economy.

“Leaders across New Hampshire are joining the broad coalition of voices calling for bold climate action, and we’re happy to have so many elected officials onboard the #50by30 campaign,” said NextGen Climate New Hampshire State Director Mike Padmore. “All three Democratic presidential candidates have produced detailed plans to transition to a clean enery economy. Now it’s time for them to debate the merits of each plan—and Saturday night’s debate is a perfect opportunity.”

Senate Democratic Leader Jeff Woodburn agreed on the importance of taking action on climate change in the Granite State: “Climate change is fundamentally changing the way we live and make our living in the North Country,” said Woodburn. “Wildlife is being harmed, and shorter winters mean less skiing, snowmobiling, and other outdoor activities, destroying our tourism economy. Failing to present a plan puts families across the Granite State at risk.”

According to a recent study by ICF International, transitioning to clean energy would create 8,000 new jobs in New Hampshire by 2030 with an additional 15,000 new jobs by 2050. It would also raise disposable incomes by over $500 in 2030 and $480 in 2050. Transitioning to clean energy will grow the Granite State’s manufacturing sector, creating 3,400 new jobs by 2030 and 3,600 additional jobs by 2050. Building out the clean energy infrastructure and facilities needed to power New Hampshire’s economy will create more than 1,200 additional construction jobs by 2030 and 2,400 new jobs by 2050. The current and former elected officials and community political leaders that support transitioning to 50 percent clean energy by 2030 include:

Executive Council

Chris Pappas

Colin Van Ostern

Mayors

Jim Bouley, Concord

Paul Grenier, Berlin

Dana Hilliard, Somersworth

Bob Lister, Portsmouth

State Senate

Sylvia Larsen, former Senate President

Harold Janeway, former State Senator

Peter Burling, former State Senator

Jeff Woodburn, Democratic Leader

Donna Soucy, Deputy Democratic Leader

Lou D’Allesandro

Andrew Hosmer

Martha Fuller Clark

Bette Lasky

David Watters

David Pierce

Molly Kelly

Dan Feltes

State House

Terie Norelli, former Speaker of the House, Steve Shurtleff, Democratic Leader, Cindy Rosenwald, Deputy Democratic Leader, Bill Baber, Science, Technology & Energy Committee, David Borden, Science, Technology & Energy Committee, Bob Backus, Science, Technology & Energy Committee, Mary Heath, Susan Almy, Renny Cushing, Alexis Simpson, Dan Eaton, Patricia Lovejoy, Dick McNamara, George Saunderson, Kathi Rogers, Jon Manley, Latha Mangipudi, Lee Oxenham, Mario Ratzki, Marjorie Porter, Marjorie Smith, Pamela Gordon, Mary Jane Wallner, Martha Hennessey, Peter Schmidt, Marty Jack, Alan Cohen, Linda DiSilvestro, Tim Smith, Richard Abel, Paul Berch, Clyde Carson, Rebecca Brown, Ken Snow, Gillman Shattuck, Susan Ford, Sharon Nordgren, Cynthia Chase

Grassroots LeadersKathy Sullivan, DNC Committeewoman, former Chair New Hampshire Democratic Party, Joanne Dowdell, DNC At-Large Member, Larry Drake, Chair Rockingham County Democratic Committee, Joan Jacobs, Rockingham Democratic Committee, Laurie McCray, First Vice Chair Rockingham Democrats, Dave Tencza, Chair Nashua Democratic Committee, Chris Muns, Chair Hampton Democratic Committee, Ronnie Werner, Chair Rye Democratic Committee, Kristi St. Laurent, Chair Windham Democratic Committee, Eric Turer, Chair Brentwood Democratic Committee, Maria Barth, Chair Lee Democratic Committee, Mark Vallone, Chair Epping Democratic Committee, Carol Croteau, Chair Kingston Democratic Committee.