Senate candidate Rep. Curtis’ history on climate change

Photo: Rep. John Curtis

UTAH — Candidates for Utah’s open Senate seat have sparked interest from several nonprofit organizations focused on climate change, with two organizations endorsing different candidates.

Protect Our Winters Action Fund (POWAF), the sister organization of the nonprofit Protect Our Winters (POW) organization, recently endorsed Democratic nominee Caroline Gleich for Senate, citing Caroline as a “champion of our planet, people, and outdoor playgrounds.”

Conversely, the Environmental Defense Fund’s advocacy partner, one of the largest green groups in the country, endorsed current House Representative John Curtis in July, believing Curtis’s engagement on climate issues is “authentic” and “results-oriented.”

Gleich, a professional ski mountaineer and climate activist who has never held public office, was one of nine congressional endorsements made by POWAF, all of which were Democrats.

In a statement following the endorsement from POWAF, Gleich stated, “We can’t afford six more years of inaction from another career politician,” referring to her Republican opponent.

Throughout his time in Congress representing Utah’s third district, Curtis has worked closely with POW on multiple issues, and a spokesman for his campaign believes the group has foregone results to play the political game.

“John welcomes the relationship with POW to work on issues facing the outdoor recreation industry. It is disappointing they have decided to prioritize politics over John’s proven track record of delivering results Utahns care about,” a spokesperson for Curtis’ Senate campaign said.

Curtis’ time in Congress has seen the Republican Congressman introduce several pieces of legislation related to protecting the climate and allowing Americans to access the outdoors.

Rep. Curtis has sponsored four bills as part of the EXPLORE Act, a bipartisan outdoor recreation package.

These bills include the Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act, which makes outdoor recreation more accessible to everyone by streamlining the permitting process for outfitters, educational organizations, and community groups; the Protect America’s Rock Climbing (PARC) Act, ensuring responsible access to rock climbing in designated wilderness; the Connect Our Parks Act directs each National Park to assess where broadband service is needed and develop a plan to increase access to internet and cellular service; and the Biking On Long-Distance Trails (BOLT) Act, which expands outdoor recreation opportunities by identifying potential long-distance bike trails and expanding mapping resources for long-distance bikers.

Rep. Curtis is also a staunch supporter of nuclear energy, which he believes can provide “affordable, reliable and clean energy.”

In June of this year, Rep. Curtis’s bill, which authorizes the Secretary of Energy to award grants to cover fees assessed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, was signed into law. This bill incentivizes innovation and application of nuclear-related technology.

Rep. Curtis has also supported legislation related to carbon capture, and has introduced legislation to incentivize water-efficient homeowners and to streamline development on geothermal projects.

In addition, Curtis formed and currently heads the Conservative Climate Caucus (CCC) in 2021, a group composed of over 80 Republican Congressmen. While the CCC does not directly author or propose legislation, the group, led by Rep. Curtis, is focused on educating Republican Congressmen on climate policies and legislation consistent with conservative values and helping them better understand technologies and issues related to climate change.