Climate legislation
If not BBB, then carbon fee
A recent study, which links the impact of climate warming on the Arctic ice with the increase in wildfires in Western U.S., demonstrates once again the urgent need to address climate change. Unfortunately, Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is preventing us from adopting the climate policies in Biden’s Build Back Better legislation. Manchin says he is concerned with the impact of BBB on inflation and on the federal budget.
While the house (our earth) is on fire and one fire department (BBB) cannot respond, we have a nearby fire department that can respond. We can put a fee on carbon emissions with revenues raised returned equally to all Americans. There would be no budgetary impact. It could be implemented quickly, improving air quality and public health right away. America’s carbon pollution will be reduced by 50 percent by 2030. Moreover, for most Americans the dividend will more than cover any increase in energy costs. A rising price of carbon will incentivize the development and adoption of renewable technologies.
Right now, there is proposed legislation that could accomplish all that: the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, HR 2307. Urge your U.S. representative to support HR 2307 and your Senator to support it when it comes to the Senate. This policy has bipartisan appeal. Republican Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have already spoken favorably about a carbon fee and dividend.
A carbon fee can reduce global warming even if BBB can’t be passed.
Kristi Weir
Bellevue
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