{"id":1375,"date":"2023-05-31T08:59:25","date_gmt":"2023-05-31T12:59:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/?p=1375"},"modified":"2023-05-31T10:18:09","modified_gmt":"2023-05-31T14:18:09","slug":"regunberg-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/regunberg-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Endorsement: Aaron Regunberg for Congress, 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For Rhode Islanders concerned about the onrushing climate crisis, the choice to continue Rep. David Cicilline\u2019s progressive legacy in Congress is clear: former State Representative Aaron Regunberg. <\/span><b>Climate Action Rhode Island is thrilled to endorse Aaron Regunberg for Congress in 2023.<\/b><\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1384 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.50.00-PM-436x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"436\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.50.00-PM-436x300.png 436w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.50.00-PM-1024x704.png 1024w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.50.00-PM-768x528.png 768w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.50.00-PM-1536x1056.png 1536w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.50.00-PM.png 2048w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.50.00-PM-430x296.png 430w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.50.00-PM-20x15.png 20w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.50.00-PM-1164x800.png 1164w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 436px) 100vw, 436px\" \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Standing out from the field of candidates, Regunberg has proven himself for years to be an energetic, engaged, and effective leader on climate issues. In Congress, he won\u2019t be just a vote for good bills; he\u2019ll be a climate organizer, actively advancing strong policies at the scale of the crisis and building coalitions to pass them into law.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cOur country is running out of time to tackle the climate crisis,\u201d said Denise Taliaferro, co-chair of CARI\u2019s Politics Team. \u201cElecting Aaron Regunberg to Congress will meaningfully improve our chances of taking action in time to preserve a safe future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sasha Naydich, co-chair of CARI\u2019s Politics Team, said, \u201cRepresentative David Cicilline has been great on climate issues in Congress. Our statewide politics team is unanimous in believing that Aaron Regunberg is the best choice to continue and build on Cicilline\u2019s legacy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAaron Regunberg understands that the climate crisis intersects with other day-to-day issues affecting communities in our district. He will listen to his constituents and fight for them,\u201d said Caitlin Sanford, lead of CARI\u2019s Providence Local Team. \u201cWe need a Representative in Congress like Aaron who won\u2019t let up until our nation is on a sustainable course.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Regunberg\u2019s Record of Progress<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regunberg\u2019s sterling record on climate issues includes numerous activities and accomplishments over the years:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the General Assembly, he worked hard to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rilegislature.gov\/pressrelease\/_layouts\/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure\/Forms\/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31%2D3c10%2D431c%2D8dcd%2D9dbbe21ce3e9&amp;ID=12050&amp;Web=2bab1515%2D0dcc%2D4176%2Da2f8%2D8d4beebdf488\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pass laws expanding our state\u2019s \u201cvirtual net metering\u201d programs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, allowing nonprofits, schools, and communities to benefit from solar energy. He was also a key organizer of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/cleanwater.org\/2017\/03\/29\/carbon-fight-going-regional\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Energize Rhode Island Coalition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which brought together businesses and environmental groups in support of bills to phase out our region\u2019s carbon emissions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He has consistently spoken out against fossil fuel development and funding in Rhode Island, including the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.providencejournal.com\/story\/opinion\/2016\/08\/04\/joe-almeida-and-aaron-regunberg-stop-energy-project-in-providence\/27260819007\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">South Providence gas liquefaction plant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/upriseri.com\/2018-08-29-regunberg-burrillville\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Burrillville fracked-gas plant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/upriseri.com\/2018-01-16-regunberg-offshore-drilling\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trump\u2019s offshore oil drilling plan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/patch.com\/rhode-island\/smithfield\/climate-action-ri-protests-outside-chase-bank-smithfield\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chase Bank\u2019s investments in fossil fuel exploration<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like Rep. Cicilline, Regunberg has committed to co-sponsor the Green New Deal Resolution in Congress; he signed the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/gndchampions.com\/candidate-pledge\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">GND Champions Pledge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/saaaauuull\/status\/1645795175799865349?s=20\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">refusing all donations from oil company PACs, lobbyists, and executives<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In law school, he <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bostonglobe.com\/2021\/09\/25\/opinion\/big-law-is-complicit-climate-crisis\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">organized against recruitment by law firms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> representing big oil companies, and worked with the Sierra Club and the Center for Climate Integrity on litigation to hold oil companies accountable for their decades of climate deception.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He has written extensively in national publications such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/newrepublic.com\/authors\/aaron-regunberg\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The New Republic<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on issues related to climate finance, environmental justice, climate anxiety, and climate litigation. Environmental hero Bill McKibben described one of Aaron\u2019s essays as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/billmckibben.substack.com\/p\/big-oils-down-so-lets-kick-them-where\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cone of the best accounts I\u2019ve ever read of why individual actions matter.\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-1386\" src=\"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.57.39-PM-477x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"477\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.57.39-PM-477x300.png 477w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.57.39-PM-1024x644.png 1024w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.57.39-PM-768x483.png 768w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.57.39-PM-430x271.png 430w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.57.39-PM-20x13.png 20w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/Screen-Shot-2023-05-30-at-11.57.39-PM.png 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 477px) 100vw, 477px\" \/>Regunberg\u2019s advocacy spans a wide range of issues, not only protecting the climate. He believes, as we do, that climate justice is deeply connected to economic justice, immigrant justice, reproductive justice, and racial justice; and his record shows a passion for those issues, too. But the climate is a top priority for him, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LuSusgssl9w\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as his announcement video makes clear<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMany politicians offer lip service to environmental issues, but Aaron is different,\u201d said Justin Boyan, CARI President. \u201cHe has proven his commitment to climate advocacy throughout his time in public life, from the bills he fought for at the State House to his organizing work against fossil-fuel firms to his many articles in national publications. We know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the best candidate to advance the climate fight in Washington.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe appreciate Aaron\u2019s record of making renewable energy more affordable, opposing polluting fossil fuel projects in our communities, and working to unite a range of groups behind clean energy development,\u201d said CARI Vice President Abby Huber.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will Nakshian, lead of CARI\u2019s Blackstone Local Team, said: \u201cAaron\u2019s determination to cut subsidies to fossil fuel companies and hold them accountable for the destruction they have knowingly caused to our climate makes him the leading candidate to represent Rhode Island Congressional District 1.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jeff Migneault, CARI Board Member and Newport County Local Team co-lead, said simply: \u201cFor anyone who really wants to move the needle on climate action, Regunberg is the clear choice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Background and Process<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1388\" src=\"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/350-logo-v3-543x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"181\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/350-logo-v3-543x300.png 543w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/350-logo-v3-1024x566.png 1024w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/350-logo-v3-768x424.png 768w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/350-logo-v3-430x238.png 430w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/350-logo-v3-20x11.png 20w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/350-logo-v3.png 1026w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 181px) 100vw, 181px\" \/>Climate Action Rhode Island (350.org\/ri), the statewide affiliate of 350.org, is a citizens group of 3000+ members advocating urgent action to stem the climate crisis. We have issued endorsements in each election cycle since 2018, supporting our endorsed candidates with fundraising, volunteers for door-knocking and canvassing, email blasts to our members, press releases, phone banking, and text banking. In 2022, 41\/50 of our endorsed candidates for General Assembly were elected, including 8 new legislators.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our criteria for endorsement are straightforward: we seek candidates who understand the urgency of the climate crisis and will not merely support, but actively drive the passage of, laws strong enough to end the crisis.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In late April, we invited each candidate to apply for our endorsement by answering a questionnaire about their climate priorities. We are grateful to all 10 candidates who took the time to respond: Amo, Autiello, Beaut\u00e9, Berbrick, Biah, Cano, Carlson, Goncalves, Regunberg, and Waters. CARI\u2019s Statewide Politics Team independently reviewed the questionnaires, scoring them on a scorecard that gave points for their experience and plans. Several of the candidates in the race impressed us, including Don Carlson and Nick Autiello, with their climate-oriented careers; Rhode Island State Senator Sandra Cano, who has been a reliable co-sponsor of environmental bills at the State House; and Providence City Councillor John Goncalves, a CARI endorsee in 2020 and 2022, with commendable accomplishments on local issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, Aaron Regunberg\u2019s experience in building coalitions to pass climate legislation and direct organizing to challenge the oil industry stood out. The scorecard results gave a clear victory to Regunberg, who earned an average score of 96.4%. (The three runner-up scores were 76.5%, 68.3%, and 58.8%.) When the team met to discuss the candidates in detail and vote, the vote was 10\u20130 in favor of Regunberg. Finally, CARI\u2019s Leadership Team ratified the endorsement by a vote of 14\u20130. We believe Regunberg offers not only the strongest record of climate advocacy and legislation, but also proven electability, having won 49% of the statewide vote against incumbent Lieutenant Governor Dan McKee in 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1387\" src=\"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/regballoon-279x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"279\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/regballoon-279x300.png 279w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/regballoon-373x400.png 373w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/regballoon-14x15.png 14w, https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/files\/2023\/05\/regballoon.png 651w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 279px) 100vw, 279px\" \/>The window of time for climate action is closing. The 2023 special election presents a crucial opportunity to send a climate champion to Congress. <\/span><b>We hope all environmentally conscious organizations and voters in District 1 will join Climate Action RI in supporting Aaron Regunberg for Congress.<\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CARI is thrilled to endorse Aaron Regunberg in the special election for Rhode Island&#8217;s first Congressional District.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor anyone who really wants to move the needle on climate action, Regunberg is the clear choice.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":704,"featured_media":1383,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1375","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/704"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1375"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1375\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1375"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1375"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/world.350.org\/rhodeisland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1375"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}