It’s a breath of fresh air to read a view about climate change policy from state Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, in her Aug. 3 local view, “Public needs voice in carbon debate.” It’s high time for this critical issue to be taken seriously on both sides of the aisle. Rivers complains about the governor’s climate actions which bypass the Legislature. Just as in the other Washington, if one party is obstructing progress, bold people must find a way to get results.
Climate change is the issue of our time. We cannot squander more years defending the status quo.
Conservatives should appreciate that the price signal of a carbon tax is the most effective way to change behavior. But there is an elegant way to incentivize reduced use of fossil fuels without increasing taxes — by reducing other taxes to make the carbon tax revenue neutral. Lower taxes on the working could offset a higher tax on energy. Or we could credit the money raised from a carbon tax back to all citizens equally. Those who use less energy come out ahead. This revenue-neutral carbon tax would be more effective and less subject to abuse than cap-and-trade.
Warren Shoemaker
Camas
