Letter: A carbon bill with bipartisan appeal

The impacts of climate change are not partisan – increasingly destructive floods, wildfires, droughts and rising sea levels don’t care if you are Republican or Democrat. This drew me to Citizens Climate Lobby, a bipartisan, volunteer-driven organization whose mission is to create the political will for a livable world. A month after finding CCL, I found myself in Washington, lobbying New Hampshire’s congressional representatives for support of the bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.

If passed, this bill keeps the U.S. close to achieving carbon emission reductions needed to prevent warming over 1.5 degrees Celsius. The policy puts a fee on fossil fuels, starting low and growing over time. The money collected from the carbon fee is allocated in equal shares every month to the American people to spend as they see fit. Ultimately, this bill incentivizes industries and consumers to move toward cleaner, cheaper options.

Republicans will like that this is a free-market approach, it does not grow the government and some EPA regulations are paused for 10 years so long as emission targets are met. Democrats will like the bill’s progressive nature: Studies show the dividend helps low-income families, and two-thirds of all households break even or come out ahead. Both parties will like that U.S. manufacturers and jobs are protected with a border carbon adjustment.

Let’s not forget the biggest bipartisan perk of all: protecting our home for future generations. You can calculate what your monthly dividend would be or learn more at energyinnovationact.org/carbon-dividend-calculator.

KATHERINE LESWING

Concord