Everyone can love this strategy on climate change
What’s on my Christmas list? Oh, a few simple things:
1. A Congress that can demonstrate that bipartisanship is not dead, that our elected officials are still able to work together on the most critical issues facing our nation.
2. That we find a solution to climate change that would protect us from the dire consequences of inaction outlined in the recently released Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report: severe negative economic impacts, loss of life, loss of property and dramatic changes to our natural world.
3. That a sense of urgency driven by scientific consensus could unite Democrats and Republicans alike in finding a highly effective solution to climate change.
Christmas came early this year. On Nov. 27, Congress found a simple, fair and effective solution to get climate change in check and unite Republicans and Democrats in support of action. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., Rep. Charlie Crist, D-Fla., Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Rep. John Delaney, D-Md., introduced the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. Since introduction, an additional Republican co-sponsor has joined the bill: Rep. Dave Trott, R-Mich. This bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives will put a price on carbon emissions and return the collected revenue in equal dividends to the American people.
The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act is vetted policy. Independent analysis shows it is effective and will reduce America’s emissions by 40 percent within 12 years. It is supported by scientists and economists as simple, comprehensive and effective, and it is projected to create 2.1 million additional jobs over the next 10 years, thanks to growth in the clean-energy economy.
This policy is good for people. It will protect health and save lives by reducing pollution. Poor air quality causes an estimated 60,000 deaths each year and sickens thousands more. Additionally, the monthly dividend check would put money into the pockets of American families to spend as they see fit, helping low- and middle-income families in New Mexico make ends meet while we make the transition to clean energy.
Many Americans hunger for an end to congressional rancor. This bill is a bipartisan dream come true. Republicans and Democrats are both on board, co-sponsoring this bill together. The majority of Americans support Congress taking action on climate change, including more than half of Republican millennial voters. Solving climate change is too urgent to get caught up in partisan politics.
Part of what makes this particular policy popular on both sides of the aisle is that it is revenue neutral and will not grow government. The fees collected on carbon emissions will be allocated to all Americans to spend any way they choose. The government will not keep any of the collected fees, so the size of the government will not grow.
As New Mexico makes plans to move our state toward the bright light of a solar- and wind-generated clean-energy economy, it’s nice to know that policies are being looked at seriously in Washington that would send a clear market signal that clean energy is where we should place our investment bets. It will serve to incentivize a change in our energy mix that could place New Mexico as an economic and environmental leader, while protecting the health and welfare of our citizens and safeguarding our state’s natural beauty, wildlife and our proud New Mexico agricultural heritage.
The introduction of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act is everything
I have wished for. I’ve let my representative in the House know that the next thing on my wish list is for this effective, bipartisan act to be passed into law.
We will have a fresh delegation in the House in January. In the New Year it will be all of our jobs to make sure we’re heard in support of this sensible solution.