Why I'm going to the State of the Union

Mike Kelly, Bainbridge Island

In late December, my phone rang; I was surprised that it was my Congressman, Rep. Derek Kilmer, calling me personally.

For years, the volunteer organization I help lead, Bainbridge Island Citizens’ Climate Lobby, has met with Rep. Kilmer and his office as part of our work to encourage Congress to do more to address the threat of climate change. We’ve been very happy with his deep knowledge and concern about how this affects his constituents, and appreciated his wisdom on how to best move climate legislation forward, always looking for an opportunity to work across the aisle in a bipartisan fashion, even when Republican partners have sometimes been difficult for him to find. 

Mike Kelly

Rep. Kilmer was calling to invite me to be his guest at the State of the Union in February to highlight the work on climate change happening in the district. I told him how honored and surprised I was by this invitation, and of course, I eagerly accepted on behalf of all the people working across the district — from Tacoma to Forks to Bainbridge — on this important issue.

On Tuesday, February 4, President Donald Trump will deliver his third State of the Union address to Congress. We citizens will be as eager to hear this address as are our members of Congress. I’m thankful we live in a democratic republic, where our participation counts, and I appreciate Rep. Kilmer shining a light on that participation and the climate issue.

Rep. Kilmer knows the science on what increasing carbon pollution is doing to our environment, and he understands the urgency of this challenge. He also knows that climate solutions must be politically bipartisan to be effective policy. He is a cosponsor of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 763), a market-driven approach that has bipartisan appeal in part because of a unique approach: it puts a rising price on carbon and rebates all proceeds to the American people. It doesn’t increase the size of government or involve complex regulations that can take years to be enacted and begin reducing emissions. Economists across the political spectrum agree that this is the most effective way to unleash American ingenuity to reduce carbon emissions—and create millions of jobs along the way.

To help get this solution across the finish line, Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) works with all Representatives and Senators — Republican, Democratic and Independent — all around the country. Our focus is laser-like on building the political will to address this challenge.

I know that when I sit in the House Gallery on February 4, I may not hear the risks of climate change prioritized by President Trump — but I know that dozens of members of Congress are working hard on changing that.  Voters and elected officials across the political spectrum increasingly understand that climate change  is not only a risk, but also a huge opportunity for our nation to transition our economy to run on renewable, non-carbon energy sources. This transition is already happening—the question is whether the U.S. will step up to lead it.

This year’s State of the Union address is not just a speech by the President, and I won’t just be another guest For me, it is a moment for all of us to celebrate partnerships with our elected members of Congress and to commit to continuing to work closely together to bring successful climate legislation across the finish line. When we work together to solve important issues like climate change, that keeps the state of our union strong.

Mike Kelly is CEO of Tech DNA, a software company based on Bainbridge Island. He is also a volunteer leader for the Bainbridge Island Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change.