Via Twitter, Tesla’s Elon Musk has threatened to leave President Donald Trump’s advisory councils if the White House withdraws from the Paris climate accord. Musk said he had spoken with d Trump and top White House officials, letting them know how important it is for them to uphold the agreement. Right now Elon serves on three White House economic advisory councils for manufacturing and jobs, strategic and policy forum, and infrastructure.
Will have no choice but to depart councils in that case
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 31, 2017
From CNBC:
Musk, among other CEOs of major American companies, urged Trump to uphold the agreement. He tweeted Wednesday that he has “done all [he] can to advise directly to [Trump],” through White House officials and advisory councils, to remain in the accord.
Since taking office, Trump has started to roll back Obama administration energy regulations that he and some advisors say hold back American energy companies. While officials like Secretary of State Rex Tillerson support the Paris deal, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt had pushed against it.
Trump is expected to withdraw. CNN stated:
The decision, which will be announced this week, would put the US at odds with nearly every other nation on earth. It would reflect a major reversal of the Obama administration’s efforts on climate change. And it could trigger further efforts to erode the landmark climate accord.
From Business Insider:
Musk reportedly has used his access to Trump to push for a carbon tax, which would incentivize companies to use energy sources that emit less carbon. In January, Musk endorsed Rex Tillerson for secretary of state because Tillerson, the former CEO of ExxonMobil, has supported such a tax. Musk has for years publicly called for a carbon tax, including at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.
