In response to Trump’s decision to stop enforcing the emission standards laid out in President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, Governor McAuliffe has taken action in Virginia by working to implement those standards through his executive directive, the “Clean Energy Virginia” initiative.

The Washington Post Editorial Board recently praised this measure and called on other states to follow Virginia’s lead. Meanwhile, Republican governors in two other states have called on Trump to stay in the Paris Climate Accord, and the Republican gubernatorial candidates should do the same.

“Pulling out of the Paris Agreement will devastate the global effort to curb the effects of climate change, and the president's decision today further damages the United States’ standing in the international community,” said DPVA spokeswoman Katie Baker. “Virginia is leading the national response to Trump’s climate denial, which will require an aggressive coordinated effort between state and local leaders to compensate for the president's inaction. Governor McAuliffe’s 'Clean Energy Virginia' initiative is a crucial first step, which is why it’s critical that we elect a Democrat to carry on his work in November.”