Over the past week, there have been very loud and credible rumblings from Washington, D.C. that President Trump was going to issue an executive order targeting nonprofit organizations that work on climate change and environmental justice.

We still do not know if the president will ultimately issue this fossil-fueled order. If he does, it will be in keeping with his pattern of abusing power, going after other major elements of America’s free society like our colleges and universities.

If he does, it is because organizations like ours and hundreds of others across the nation are making a difference. He would not consider actions like this if we were not effective.

And if he does, Climate Solutions and literally thousands of other nonprofit organizations are not backing down. We will be ready.

Here at Climate Solutions, we are fighting back in a number of key ways and wanted to update you.

First and foremost, we are continuing our work in deep partnership with many others to keep leading on climate action. The best way to fight back against the Trump administration’s attacks on cutting climate pollution and accelerating clean energy for all is to keep moving forward.

And we are. 

Here are just two examples of big progress in the region: 

• Expanding cleaner fuels to get around: Earlier this week, both chambers of the Washington State Legislature passed a major update to the Clean Fuels Standard, strengthening one of the state’s most effective tools to reduce pollution from the largest source of emissions in the state-transportation. The bill now moves to Governor Ferguson’s desk for his signature to become law.
• Making sure big energy users pay their fair share: Also this week, the Oregon House of Representatives passed the POWER Act with bipartisan support. This bill would require data centers, cryptocurrency operators, and other major energy users to pay their fair share for their electricity use. With demand for energy spiking and costs to consumers rising, it is only fair that all energy users pay their fair share. The bill now moves to the state Senate.

These are two significant pieces of legislation. They are huge priorities for our organization and many partners who have devoted significant resources advocating for them. They will make a difference in cutting climate pollution and increasing energy affordability. Neither President Trump nor the fossil fuel industry can stop our states from continuing to make necessary progress like this. You can be proud of this region’s progress. 

Second, we are partnering closely with other nonprofit organizations that serve our communities in every way from running soup kitchens to supporting seniors to fighting for clean air. Together, we are ready to fight back against the Trump Administration’s bullying.

All of these organizations are united in defending our rights. We believe that no president—Republican or Democrat—should have the power to turn our government into a political weapon against our people. No one should have the power to silence the people and the organizations who serve our communities. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. We are deeply united and stand in solidarity with our allies across issues and across states.

If you are looking for something to do in these deeply challenging times, I have three suggestions for you:

1. Call your members of Congress and urge them to stand up against President Trump’s abuse of power in threatening to target nonprofit organizations, states’ authority to make climate progress, and other critical elements of a free society.
2. Connect with community: one way is to join hundreds of others supporting climate action at the Climate Solutions Annual Dinner on Tuesday May 20th in Seattle, with Jigar Shah, formerly of the US Department of Energy. In this time of extreme challenge, coming together with others is powerful.
3. Donate today—chipping in even $5 helps us continue this work and prepare to defend the progress we have already made, in our legislatures and possibly in the courts.

Together, we will continue to move forward.

Thank you for all you continue to do.