The Environmental Protection Agency is finalizing cross state air pollution rules, adding more regulation to fossil fuel powered electricity generation. It’s a laudable goal, but I’m appalled at the idea that more piecemeal heavy handed government regulation will solve our fossil fuel problems. A far better path is to add a light touch market signal, which makes all fossil fuel producers pay for the pollution that’s so far been a free ride. America is built on innovation, not on choosing winners. A free ride for fossil fuels is choosing a winner. It’s time to make oil, gas and coal pay their fair share. Citizen’s Climate Lobby proposes a tiny ($15 per ton) fee on carbon, rising $10 a year for 10 years. Economists estimate that a fee of $125 per ton gets us to 50% reduction. Starting low and rising slowly minimizes the impact on business and consumers. CCL proposes that 95% of the revenue collected is returned monthly to the people, ensuring that the program doesn’t just add to “big government.” Three percent goes to supporting displaced coal/oil workers and the rest to running the program. Please email Sens Jon Tester and Steve Daines and tell them we want leadership on this matter.
Sherman Hamilton
Kalispell