The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) is
promoting a carbon fee to promote clean energy and provide better air quality
in DC. Under such a system, Companies that
buy and sell fossil fuels in the District would pay a fee on each ton of
heat-trapping pollution they cause. The price would rise steadily over time and
would reflect the damage these emissions inflict on DC residents' health, air
and water, and climate. All of the money raised would be returned in
equal amounts—through a quarterly “dividend”—to every D.C. resident thereby
putting more money into the pockets of DC families and helping to ensure that
low-income and middle class residents are benefit in the transition to clean
energy.  |
| Which DC? Photo Credit CPlume (above) and Rolling Stone (below) |
A far-fetched
idea? Boulder, Colorado enacted a carbon fee in 2006 and the Canadian
province of Alberta passed one last year. Carbon fee proposals are
currently under consideration in statehouses from New York to Oregon.
Meanwhile, under the DC Government adopted Sustainable DC Plan, the District has
committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2032.
A carbon fee might just get us there!
For more information on CCAN's
proposed carbon fee and to sign the petition in support of a carbon fee, check out the CCAN website!