A federal price on emissions is now officially backed by the American Petroleum Industry (The Maui News, March 26.)
Eight of the 10 biggest world economies are pricing carbon except India and the U.S. (The E.U. wants to pressure its trading partners to comply with the policy.) Governor Ige has come out in favor also.
The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization found that GDP will be favorably affected.
Carbon pricing will reduce air pollution and so save lives. But prices for energy and food will rise. This is why Citizens Climate Lobby proposes a dividend to households to compensate for this rise.
The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (EICDA) can be implemented in less than a year once passed and is the most cost-efficient bill and the fairest. Every household will get a check from the IRS to spend as they wish rather than the carbon fee going into government projects.
The lowest-income families will benefit the most since they use less energy. Rep. Ted Deutch has reintroduced the bill as H.R. 2307 with 28 co-sponsors this year. We hope that our representatives Kahele and Case co-sponsor.
While this is not the only solution to the climate crisis, it is a necessary one. To learn more about EICDA, see www.cclusa.org and click “Take Action.” There’s never been a better time to be a citizen environmental activist.
Bill and Bobbie Best
Wailuku
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