Next stop? Building fossil fuel infrastructure.

Thank you for reporting on US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm’s remarks about the Biden administration’s policies for transitioning the United States away from fossil fuels (“Granholm defends Biden’s role on movement from fossil fuels,” Metro, April 25).

While it is irrefutable, as the secretary says, that “[we] just can’t stop all fossil fuel production and have people stop driving their cars,” what is less clear is why we can’t stop building fossil fuel infrastructure. In fact, the administration’s pause on approvals for new liquified natural gas export terminals is a perfect illustration of what such a policy would look like. At a minimum, the administration should flip the approval for new fossil fuel infrastructure from a business-as-usual approach characterized by promiscuous permitting to one of permitting only in the case of a defensible national priority. This change in posture would act as another motivator, in addition to existing tax credits, incentives, and grants, for businesses and consumers to fall in behind the administration’s climate agenda.

Furthermore, given Americans’ sensitivity to rising gas prices, it is certainly understandable why a “[carbon tax is] just not where [Biden’s] at.” But the revenue-neutral Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2023 (H.R.5744) deserves another look by the administration. H.R.5744 would implement a carbon tax causing gas prices to increase slowly over many years. During this period all Americans would receive monthly dividend checks to ensure they can afford the energy they need during the transition to a clean energy economy. Study after study has concluded that a revenueneutral price on fossil fuels is the most fiscally responsible way to green the economy. A “carbon tax” deserves that second look by the secretary and her boss.

GARY RUCINSKI Newton The writer is the state coordinator for Citizens’ Climate Lobby.