From the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Mike Tidwell, director

Compiled and edited by Ted Glick, CCAN National Campaign Coordinator

August 6, 2012

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network supports efforts to advance the policy known as “cap and dividend,” first introduced by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) in December 2009. Learn more at http://www.supportclearact.org. Since that time, this bipartisan approach has continued to attract interest and coverage. CCAN continues to produce and distribute this periodic newsletter to keep the clean energy community updated on those developments.

Click here to view past Cap and Dividend Policy Updates.

 

In This Issue:

#1: Reuters, August 3: Lawmaker offers new approach to price carbon in U.S.

#2: CNN Money, August 2: Carbon Tax Gets Unusual Support

#3: Scholars Strategy Network: Cap Carbon Emissions and Pay Dividends to Citizens – A Strategy to Unite Americans Against Global Warming

#4: The Oakland Tribune commentary: Turn Cap and Trade Rate Bomb into AB32 Dividends

#5: NY Times Op Ed: The Most Sensible Tax of All

#6: Competitive Enterprise Institute conservative supports fee and dividend

#7: The best solution we have, by Doug Craig

#1: Reuters, August 3: Lawmaker offers new approach to price carbon in U.S.

“A Democratic congressman made the latest attempt to set a national price on carbon on Thursday, floating a bill that would force companies to pay for their emissions, while using proceeds to help reduce the budget deficit and offset any price increases for consumers. In the wake of recent debates in Congress over the past few days on climate change and news of high-profile Republicans voicing support for a carbon tax, Democratic Congressman Jim McDermott introduced the Managed Carbon Price (MCP) act as a way to address climate change in an “economically responsible way.”
For the full article go to: http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/03/us-carbon-idINBRE87209F20120803

#2: CNN Money, August 2: Carbon Tax Gets Unusual Support

“Calls for a carbon tax on fossil fuels like gasoline and coal are coming from a surprising quarter these days — Republicans. In recent weeks, several prominent Republican thinkers have floated the idea of imposing higher taxes on gasoline, coal and natural gas. The increases, they say, would be offset by tax cuts on paychecks, dividends or corporate taxes.”
For the full article go to: http://money.cnn.com/2012/07/30/news/economy/carbon-tax/index.htm?hpt=hp_t2

#3: Scholars Strategy Network: Cap Carbon Emissions and Pay Dividends to Citizens – A Strategy to Unite Americans Against Global Warming

“There is a better, more democratic alternative – called cap-and-dividend. This approach to reducing greenhouse emissions defines environmental improvement as a shared good in which all of us have a stake. It puts a price on burning carbon sources, known to degrade our shared environment. During the transition to a greener economy, polluting industries pay for permits – and each year the proceeds are divided up and given in equal dividends to every American.”
For the full article go to: http://www.scholarsstrategynetwork.org/sites/default/files/ssn_key_findings_howard_on_carbon_cap.pdf

#4: The Oakland Tribune commentary

Turn cap and trade rate bomb into AB32 dividends “PG&E and other utilities have another idea — returning all the money to ratepayers. In this instance, they’re right. Ratepayers have paid billions over the years for alternative energy. The solar industry, fuel cells and all the rest wouldn’t exist without ratepayers’ money. If there has to be an auction, the proceeds should be returned to ratepayers. Call it an AB32 dividend. It would soften the impact of the coming rate bomb.”
For the full article go to: http://www.insidebayarea.com/news/ci_20974229/turn-cap-and-trade-rate-bomb-into-ab32

#5: NY Times Op Ed: The Most Sensible Tax of All

“On Sunday, the best climate policy in the world got even better: British Columbia’s carbon tax — a tax on the carbon content of all fossil fuels burned in the province — increased from $25 to $30 per metric ton of carbon dioxide, making it more expensive to pollute. This was good news not only for the environment but for nearly everyone who pays taxes in British Columbia, because the carbon tax is used to reduce taxes for individuals and businesses.”
For the full article go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/05/opinion/a-carbon-tax-sensible-for-all.html?_r=1

#6: Competitive Enterprise Institute conservative supports fee and dividend

“Third, I believe the United States should adopt a revenue-neutral carbon tax, much like that suggested by NASA’s James Hansen. Specifically, the federal government should impose a price on carbon that is fully rebated to taxpayers on a per capita basis. This would, in effect, shift the incidence of federal taxes away from income and labor and onto energy consumption and offset some of the potential regressivity of a carbon tax.”
For the full article go to: http://blogs.redding.com/dcraig/archives/2012/06/adlers-climate.html

#7: The best solution we have, by Doug Craig

“Real conservatives who are scientifically literate grasp the essentials. What bothers them is not the problem but the manner in which we solve it. This is what worries them and I understand this. Twenty years ago Democrats wanted a carbon tax and in response, Republicans argued for something called cap-and-trade, a plan that worked in putting us on a strong path to fixing the ozone hole. And so we are stuck with cap-and-trade, a badly flawed compromise forced on us by those who wanted to appease conservatives opposed to a tax on carbon.”
For the full article go to: http://blogs.redding.com/dcraig/archives/2012/05/the-best-climat.html

 

CCAN encourages readers of the Cap and Dividend Policy Update to distribute it to others who might be interested. We welcome input on the contents of this publication and ideas for what could be included. Send to Ted Glick at ted@chesapeakeclimate.org. To find out more about CCAN go to www.chesapeakeclimate.org.