Support Carbon Cash Back

Each day our local news is filled with stories about wildfires, bad air, drought, heat waves and imperiled fisheries, all made worse by our warming climate caused by fossil fuel emissions. A big opportunity for a clean energy future just came up, but we must act fast.

The budget reconciliation process has kicked off in Congress with a goal to halve emissions within 10 years. To reach that target the budget bill must include the essential tool most effective in reducing emissions: A Price on Carbon.

Today’s new generation of carbon pricing protects American families economically by giving emissions fees from fossil fuel producers back to households, aka Carbon Cash Back.

Another important component of a carbon price which protects American businesses is a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. CBAM applies to imports from nations that do not have an equivalent carbon price. The current budget proposal includes a carbon border tax. But, to comply with World Trade Organization rules, the US CBAM will likely require a domestic carbon price.

Importantly, Carbon Cash Back does not increase the budget. It pays for itself.

Take action: ask Senator Tester to put carbon pricing in the reconciliation bill. Let’s show him strong support with our calls and letters. His office staff is very friendly, but you can also call after hours and leave a message. A helpful Senate action page has been set up here: cclusa.org/senate

Let’s do this!

Robin Paone, Whitefish