We don’t have power plants in Snohomish or Island County that burn fossil fuel, but we are full participants in the president’s newly released Clean Power Plan for controlling carbon emissions (Aug. 3 article, “Oregon confident of meeting president’s carbon goals.”) For the next 15 years of scheduled CPP implementation, we can help guide our state’s compliance.
What is the best way to comply?
Like flexibility? Even though we are embarking on a federal government “command and control” gambit, the president’s plan is so flexible that how states comply may surprise you. The solutions available to each state go far beyond how we build and operate power plants.
Solutions include simply not using as much conventional power. Energy efficiency and renewable energy fully qualify under the plan.
Carbon emissions pricing even qualifies. Our governor’s cap-and-trade plan for controlling carbon emissions, and the I-732 revenue-neutral state carbon tax proposal are completely viable options.
I mention pricing carbon emissions not only because it is a surprising option within the plan, but also because it is something that conservative voters can get behind. Pricing carbon to create a price signal (only) in the marketplace is a way to limit government and harness the free-market system. It is revenue-neutral.
To find out more about the revenue-neutral option for pricing carbon, visit CitizensClimateLobby.org. Join us at a local chapter meeting (Seattle or Whidbey Island) each month to advocate for best ways to slow carbon emissions and solve health and national security issues at the same time.
Lee James
Volunteer, Whidbey Island chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby
Coupeville
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