A local environmental advocacy group is finally seeing their efforts rewarded to reduce carbon pollution that leads to climate change. A bill that would impose a carbon tax has been introduced in Congress this week … something long advocated by the Citizen’s Climate Lobby.
Local Group Organizer Kyle Thomas says the measure has bipartisan support.
Republican’s and Democrats joined together to introduce this and the hope is that getting more bi-partisan support, it can pass congress. The second thing about its effectiveness is it will basically result in us exceeding the goals were under the Paris (Climate) agreement and getting us down to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 33% over time.”
The bill is called the Energy Innovation and Dividend Act. It places a fee on carbon-dioxide emissions, escalating each year. The fees collected would be given back to ratepayers as a dividend to offset energy costs. The fees are intended to reduce fossil fuel use over time.
Thomas answers critics that worry about the economy and the utility bills of lower-income people.
This bill, (it) has been shown, will actually grow the economy over time. And it is actually protective of lower- and middle-income households as well. It protects them against the rise in energy prices that will occur through enactment of a carbon fee.
The Citizen’s Climate Lobby has been working toward this legislation for 10 years … and want people to get behind it.
“It’s the most important thing to address climate change. It has bipartisan appeal. Citizens that are concerned about climate change should contact their members of congress and strongly encourage them to support this bill.”
Thomas suggests contacting John Katko, who CCL has says is open to considering the measure, and newly elected Anthony Brindisi to ask them to co-sponsor it.
OTHER FEATURES OF THE ENERGY INNOVATION AND DIVIDEND ACT
There are lots of nuances to the bill, which was based on the bill that CCL had crafted, modified to ensure that it had "legs" in the House. Some of my favorite aspects are:
- There will be a border adjustment on imported products, to keep international economic competition fair.
- Carbon Capture and Sequestration credits will be given, if the technology can be developed that is proven, and permanent.
- Some agricultural emissions exemptions were added, which represent about 0.6% of CO2 emissions.
- The dividends will start a month before the fees are levied, possibly to convince naysayers that the money will actually be returned to households.
- Fluorinated greenhouse gases (like HFC's) will be levied a fee based on 10% of their GWP impact. This gets those really bad blowing agents and refrigerants in the program!
- Methane leaks can still be regulated.
- No preemption of state laws. For us, that means the RGGI will remain intact.
(More information at CitizensClimateLobby.com)
