Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Opinion: Bipartisan Bill Promises Climate Policy Breakthrough
By admin
Published 6 years ago on
December 25, 2018

Share

They said it couldn’t be done.
They said Republicans and Democrats could never work together in Congress to impact the climate change crisis. But last week, three Republicans and three Democrat members of Congress did just that.
On November 27, Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Rep. Frances Rooney (R-FL), Rep. Charlie Christ (D-FL), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) made history when they co-sponsored a bill that would apply a fee on greenhouse gas emissions. Since then another Republican has been added as a co-sponsor, Rep. Dave Trott (R-MI). California’s own Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) joined as co-sponsor as well.

Opinion
Andrea Farber De Zubiria
“To call this legislation a breakthrough is an understatement,” said Citizens’ Climate Lobby Executive Director Mark Reynolds.  “This bill is easily the most significant congressional move on climate change since 2009.”

Transition to Cleaner Energy

The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, (HR 7173) outlines a specific plan that many economists, scientists and policymakers believe will stimulate the transition to cleaner energy sources and business practices.

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA)
Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) is among the bill’s sponsors.
It is well established that greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, methane and chlorofluorocarbons (used in refrigerants, solvents, aerosol sprays as well as blowing agents for foam and packing materials) have created the pattern of global warming that has contributed to recent monster storms and fires, air pollution, drought,  sea level rise, melting permafrost, mosquito proliferation and more.
HR 7173 calls for a starting fee of $15/ton of CO2  on oil, gas, and coal based on the greenhouse gas emissions they produce. The fee for chlorofluorocarbons would be lower. The money from the fees would be allocated equally and directly to all American households as a monthly rebate or “dividend”.

Compromises Made Bill Possible

The fee would gradually rise, signaling businesses that they need to start changing their policies and allowing them time to adjust to the fee. To protect U.S. manufacturers and jobs, goods imported from countries that do not have an equivalent carbon price will pay a border carbon adjustment.  Goods exported from the United States to such countries will receive a refund under this policy.
Some compromises were made to create a bill that could be supported by a broad bipartisan audience. For example, there are exceptions on fees for gases produced by the agriculture industry. The policy also prevents additional regulations on covered CO2 emissions, as long as emission targets are met.
If emissions targets are not met after 10 years, the EPA regulatory authority over these emissions would be restored. Regulations based on other pollutants will not be affected, nor will regulations such as auto mileage standards, water quality, and others.
“To let the free market price out coal, we should consider value pricing carbon.  A revenue-neutral carbon fee is an efficient, market-driven incentive to move towards natural gas and away from coal, and to support emerging alternate sources of energy,” explained Rep. Francis Rooney (R-FL).

Effects on San Joaquin Valley

In the San Joaquin Valley, we have already felt the effects of the warming temperature patterns. Even people without known breathing problems have struggled recently due to poor air quality from all the fires. Our snow recreation industry took a hard hit and the increase in summer temperatures is allowing more mosquitoes to breed.
Valley farmers are having to reconsider what they grow. Studies are showing that climate change is likely to wreak havoc on our crops such as almonds, wheat, and corn.  Fruit yields will be even more severely affected. A 2017 study in the journal Agronomy found that the Central Valley will become unsuitable for growing apples, cherries and pears by mid-century if greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically cut.
To learn more about the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, you can visit energyinnovationact.org.
Andrea Farber De Zubiria is a licensed physical therapist who lives and works in the Central Valley. She is a mother and grandmother as well as a volunteer with Citizens’ Climate Lobby Fresno.

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

LA County Reaches $4 Billion Agreement to Settle Sexual Abuse Claims at Juvenile Facilities

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Deadly Marijuana DUI Crash

DON'T MISS

Judge Says US Must Return Maryland Man Who Was Mistakenly Deported to El Salvador Prison

DON'T MISS

These Fresno First-Graders Are Topping Their Peers in Reading

DON'T MISS

Fresno Burial Ceremony to Honor Five Abandoned Babies Set for Saturday

DON'T MISS

Visalia Man Arrested for Soliciting Sex From Minor in Kingsburg

DON'T MISS

Camalah Saleh Cruises to Win in Stormy Fresno State Student Elections

DON'T MISS

Trump Goes Golfing While Stock Market Chunks

DON'T MISS

Brandon Vang Wins Fresno City Council Special Election Outright

DON'T MISS

Trump Says He’s Giving TikTok Another 75 Days to Find a US Buyer

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Deadly Marijuana DUI Crash

UP NEXT

Judge Says US Must Return Maryland Man Who Was Mistakenly Deported to El Salvador Prison

UP NEXT

These Fresno First-Graders Are Topping Their Peers in Reading

UP NEXT

Fresno Burial Ceremony to Honor Five Abandoned Babies Set for Saturday

UP NEXT

Visalia Man Arrested for Soliciting Sex From Minor in Kingsburg

UP NEXT

Camalah Saleh Cruises to Win in Stormy Fresno State Student Elections

UP NEXT

Trump Goes Golfing While Stock Market Chunks

UP NEXT

Trump Says He’s Giving TikTok Another 75 Days to Find a US Buyer

UP NEXT

Tulare County Man Arrested After Firing at Deputies During Eviction Attempt

UP NEXT

If ex-Bitwise CEOs Behave in Prison, How Much Less Time Will They Serve?

These Fresno First-Graders Are Topping Their Peers in Reading

1 hour ago

Fresno Burial Ceremony to Honor Five Abandoned Babies Set for Saturday

2 hours ago

Visalia Man Arrested for Soliciting Sex From Minor in Kingsburg

2 hours ago

Camalah Saleh Cruises to Win in Stormy Fresno State Student Elections

3 hours ago

Trump Goes Golfing While Stock Market Chunks

3 hours ago

Brandon Vang Wins Fresno City Council Special Election Outright

4 hours ago

Trump Says He’s Giving TikTok Another 75 Days to Find a US Buyer

4 hours ago

Tulare County Man Arrested After Firing at Deputies During Eviction Attempt

5 hours ago

If ex-Bitwise CEOs Behave in Prison, How Much Less Time Will They Serve?

5 hours ago

Trump Just Bet the Farm

6 hours ago

LA County Reaches $4 Billion Agreement to Settle Sexual Abuse Claims at Juvenile Facilities

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County has reached a $4 billion agreement to settle nearly 7,000 claims of sexual abuse in juvenile facilities sin...

11 minutes ago

11 minutes ago

LA County Reaches $4 Billion Agreement to Settle Sexual Abuse Claims at Juvenile Facilities

13 minutes ago

Fresno Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Deadly Marijuana DUI Crash

15 minutes ago

Judge Says US Must Return Maryland Man Who Was Mistakenly Deported to El Salvador Prison

1 hour ago

These Fresno First-Graders Are Topping Their Peers in Reading

A public burial ceremony will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Fresno to honor five abandoned infants, organized by Garden of Innocence – Fresno County. (Garden of Innocence)
2 hours ago

Fresno Burial Ceremony to Honor Five Abandoned Babies Set for Saturday

Uriel Alcala Rios, 25, was arrested for soliciting sex from a 14-year-old girl on Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Kingsburg PD)
2 hours ago

Visalia Man Arrested for Soliciting Sex From Minor in Kingsburg

3 hours ago

Camalah Saleh Cruises to Win in Stormy Fresno State Student Elections

President Donald Trump waves as he arrives at the Trump International Golf Club, Friday, April 4, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP/Alex Brandon)
3 hours ago

Trump Goes Golfing While Stock Market Chunks

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend