Would Gov. Inslee back national carbon tax bill?

Published 1:30 am Friday, January 25, 2019

Our state of Washington looks hard at a changing climate and putting a price on carbon pollution. Good to see, but recent developments point us over to the other Washington.

The Herald’s report on Gov. Inslee’s State of the state address cites climate change as our governor’s top issue (“Washignton governor highlights climate in State of State,” The Herald, Jan. 15).

As our governor eyes Washington, D.C. and the presidency, I hope he knows that, nationally, there’s a new climate change bill under consideration that could put a price on carbon pollution nationally!

Congress is looking at the “Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.” In addition to its being nationwide, it has the greatest potential for conservative backing. It makes possible a total-cost consumer price signal (fuel cost, including pollution), but without taxation. The “tax” is a refundable fee. 100 precent of net revenue is turned back to households. Citizens may use dividends to buy cleaner, more efficient cars and houses. It’s our choice.

Politically, is anything different this time around? The Energy innovation and Carbon Dividend Act is co-sponsored by several Republican representatives. Further, our nation’s most respected economists just signed and published an endorsement for enacting a national, revenue-neutral carbon tax; and, ExxonMobil just budgeted to promote exactly this kind of legislation.

I hope Gov. Inslee will endorse the proposed act. Very importantly, please let our U.S. congressman, Rep. Rick Larsen, know that we are looking for big national policy that is bipartisan.

Lee B. James

Coupeville