Two days remain at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Katowice, Poland. Much remains to be done to ensure that efforts to address climate change meet the current challenge and create and secure quality jobs and economic opportunities worldwide.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed changes to significantly weaken the Clean Water Rule. In response, the BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Kim Glas

General Motors (GM) today announced its intention to cease production at several U.S. plants, a move that will cut jobs for thousands of American workers. Today’s announcement is the latest in a growing trend of announced automaker disinvestment in the United States.

Thousands of Americans have voiced their opposition to the rollback of the fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards. Their concerns are wide ranging and speak to the alarming potential impacts of the rollback for the environment, national security, public health, and more. The BlueGreen Alliance joined this chorus to express our dismay at the proposed changes to the rule, and to examine the potentially damaging impacts to American manufacturing and jobs.

On October 26, 2018, the BlueGreen Alliance submitted written comments on a proposed rollback of the nation’s vehicle fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Twelve mayors from around Ohio urged the EPA and NHTSA to keep strong fuel economy standards to sustain Ohio jobs in vehicle manufacturing and innovation and reduce fuel burdens for all Ohio families and reject any attempts to revoke states’ authority to enforce vehicle emissions standards under Sections 209 and 177 of the Clean Air Act.

The BlueGreen Alliance today announced the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) has joined the national partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations. This announcement comes at a crucial moment in the effort to address climate change. A new assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released earlier this week showed limiting global warming to 1.5oC would require rapid changes to all aspects of society, but that those changes could go hand-in-hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable future.

The United States Senate today passed America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. The bill will drive investments in water infrastructure, while supporting the creation of quality family-sustaining jobs and taking steps to ensure that all Americans have access to clean drinking water. The bill was passed by the United States House in September.

Mayors of Dayton, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Chillicothe Highlight How Fuel Economy Standards Are Benefitting Their Communities

On Sept. 29, 2018, the BlueGreen Alliance submitted written comments on  the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new proposed rule, Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses, which would repeal injury reporting requirements for large employers.

The BlueGreen Alliance’s Khari Mosley testified at a hearing of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on September 26, 2018 in Pittsburgh, PA to oppose the agencies’ proposal to weaken the nation’s leading fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards.

The BlueGreen Alliance’s Lee Geisse testified at a hearing of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on September 26, 2018 in Pittsburgh, PA to oppose the agencies’ proposal to weaken the nation’s leading fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions standards.