Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

10 hours ago

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

11 hours ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

11 hours ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

12 hours ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

14 hours ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

15 hours ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

16 hours ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

16 hours ago
Opinion: Bipartisan Bill Promises Climate Policy Breakthrough
By admin
Published 7 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

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

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

DON'T MISS

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

DON'T MISS

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

DON'T MISS

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

DON'T MISS

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

DON'T MISS

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

DON'T MISS

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

DON'T MISS

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

DON'T MISS

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Recover Some of the $40,000 in Fireworks Stolen From Bullard High Team

DON'T MISS

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

UP NEXT

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

UP NEXT

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

UP NEXT

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

UP NEXT

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

UP NEXT

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

UP NEXT

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

UP NEXT

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

UP NEXT

Fresno Police Recover Some of the $40,000 in Fireworks Stolen From Bullard High Team

UP NEXT

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

UP NEXT

Trump to Sign Bill on Friday at 5 p.m., White House Says

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

8 hours ago

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

8 hours ago

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

9 hours ago

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

9 hours ago

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

9 hours ago

Over 100 Former Senior Officials Warn Against Planned Staff Cuts at US State Department

9 hours ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

10 hours ago

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Dies at 67

11 hours ago

Fresno Police Recover Some of the $40,000 in Fireworks Stolen From Bullard High Team

11 hours ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

11 hours ago

Fresno Crash Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Sends Woman to Hospital

A two-vehicle collision sent a woman driving one of the vehicles to the hospital with a head injury Thursday afternoon in Fresno. Fresno pol...

6 hours ago

A crash causes a traffic jam in northwest Fresno on Thursday, July 3, 2025. (GV Wire/Paul Marshall)
6 hours ago

Fresno Crash Involving Unlicensed Teen Driver Sends Woman to Hospital

The Madre Fire near New Cuyama has burned 52,593 acres with 5% containment, prompting evacuation orders in several San Luis Obispo County zones as of Thursday, July 3, 2025, afternoon. (CalFire)
7 hours ago

Madre Fire Burns More Than 52,000 Acres in San Luis Obispo County

7 hours ago

RIP John Harris: Fresno County Rancher, Racehorse Breeder Was a Visionary Leader Who Leaves a ‘Profound Legacy’

8 hours ago

Valadao, Costa Spar on What Passage of Trump’s Bill Means for Medicaid Recipients

An ICE agent talks with migrants about their scheduled appointments with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Father’s Day, to learn about their immigration status, in Chicago, Illinois., U.S., June 15, 2025. (Reuters File)
8 hours ago

US Military Says 200 Marines Being Sent to Support ICE in Florida

Boeing logo and miniature satellite model are seen in this illustration taken, March 10, 2025. (Reuters File)
9 hours ago

Boeing Secures $2.8 Billion US Satellite Contract

9 hours ago

Kaweah Health Names Its New Chief Nurse. She’s From Texas

Clovis Police are searching for Pathmani Goonawardena, 82, who went missing nearly three weeks ago and was last seen driving a white Volvo near Copper and Auberry, possibly en route to Coarsegold. (CHP)
9 hours ago

Clovis Police Say At-Risk Missing Woman Found Dead in Mariposa County

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

Search

Send this to a friend