WASHINGTON -  House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) released the following statement after the United Nations’ Paris climate agreement went into effect today for the countries that agreed to participate.

Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas): “I am disappointed that President Obama continues to gamble with the U.S. economy by unlawfully committing to the United Nations’ Paris climate agreement, which takes effect today for the countries that agreed to participate. The administration’s actions bypass Congress, put our nation at an economic disadvantage, and impose undue and unsustainable burdens on American families, who will endure higher electric bills as a result of this so–called ‘agreement.’

“The United States’ contribution to the Paris climate agreement, which includes the Clean Power Plan, could cost up to $176 billion annually, and would have no significant impacts on climate change. The president’s costly environmental regulations would only reduce global temperatures by just three one-hundredths of a degree Celsius, and sea level rise by the thickness of three sheets of paper. It’s all pain and no gain.

“This non-legally binding agreement accomplishes nothing meaningful, and furthermore, puts hardworking Americans out of well-paying jobs in order to salvage the president’s legacy once he leaves office. Instead, the president should base all policies on sound science, not science fiction.”