Proposed law forces fossil fuel companies to pay public fee

Latest


 
CHICAGO, IL — Congress has introduced H.R. 763 known as the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2019 https://energyinnovationact.org/how-it-works/ in which fossil fuel companies would pay a carbon emissions fee at the point of entry for their products. It’s expected that companies would gradually increase fossil fuel product prices, decreasing our use of polluting fuels and shift toward safer, cleaner energy sources like wind and solar.
This fee would go into a “Carbon Fees Trust Fund” and 100% of the money in this fund would be divided up and sent out to all American households in equal “dividend” shares per adult every month (children receive a half-share). Any resident with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number would qualify. A social security number would not be mandatory.
Families would have a strong incentive to make cleaner and cheaper purchases while pocketing the extra dividend money each month. By returning the fee’s revenue to households, most families come out ahead. In fact 78% of Latino households are predicted to earn more in the dividend payments than they would pay in increased costs. The average household benefiting would earn an extra $363 in one year alone. Of the 22% of Latino households not benefiting, the average cost would be about $145 in the first year. No policy is perfect, but this would be a first good step for healthier communities for future generations to come.
Our elected officials NEED to hear from us to pass effective climate legislation. The time to act is NOW. Write or call your congressman to let them know that air pollution and climate change are important issues for you. The Hispanic population is one of the fastest growing demographics in the country. Let’s make our voices heard!
Rose Gomez is a Citizens Climate Lobby volunteer.

+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

‘We Need Urgent Global Climate Action’

Eighty-nine percent of people worldwide want their governments to do more to address the global climate crisis. Conference on tipping points says situation is urgent. Meanwhile U.S. govt does more to boost fossil fuel forms of energy.

May Day 2025: United We Will Win

International Worker’s Day is celebrated on May 1st around the world. Today, the entire U.S. working class, of which immigrants comprise an integral part, is under attack. The defense of immigrants is vital to the defense of the entire working class.

White School Officer Pepper-sprayed and Kneed Black Beaumont, TX Student, Complaint says. Will Feds Act?

A 6-second video, recorded by a teacher and reviewed by the Texas Observer, shows an officer grabbing a student’s hair, kneeing her in the face, and knocking the 100-pound girl on her back.

Pope Francis Dies After Easter Plea to End War in Gaza

"In his final public message, Pope Francis decried the “terrible conflict” in Gaza.

Bring Union Brother Kilmar Home: His Deportation Is an Attack on All of Us

The deportation of union brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a gut punch to the labor movement, a slap in the face to every worker who dares to organize.

More from the People's Tribune