A better carbon plan

Another defeat of a carbon tax in Washington state shows the benefits of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby’s national Carbon Fee and Dividend plan An earlier ballot proposal would have created a revenue-neutral carbon tax, returning money via tax swaps to businesses and individuals with tax breaks for certain industries. Environmental groups argued that this was unfair to those already disadvantaged; fossil fuel pollution taxes should be directed to programs that would support clean energy and protect low-income citizens.

Initiative 1631 would have spent revenues on climate resiliency, energy efficiency and supporting clean energy. The fossil fuel industry spent millions lobbying against the measure, saying it would raise prices for consumers. Others argued that there was no clear plan for how to spend the money, and exemptions were made for industries like Boeing.

Carbon Fee and Dividend avoids both these problems by returning all revenue collected from fossil fuel companies in equal shares to individuals. People in the lower 70 percent of income levels come out even or ahead. It works economy-wide with no government favoritism. Every individual and business has the opportunity to decrease fossil fuel use and save money. It’s well researched, progressive, fair and effective.

Nancy Basinger

Boise