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Letter: Support putting price on carbon

By Mark Leed, Vancouver
Published: January 7, 2018, 6:00am

We tax alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, so why not tax carbon pollution that fuels climate change?

Two efforts are underway to tax carbon pollution in Washington, and both deserve support. Gov. Jay Inslee has proposed a carbon fee as part of his 2018 supplemental budget. Revenue generated from the fee would replenish reserves spent to fully fund public schools. At the same time, a coalition of over 170 organizations including labor unions, environmental advocates, and businesses plans to put a carbon pricing initiative on the 2018 ballot. Money generated by charging major polluters would be invested in clean energy infrastructure, retraining displaced workers, and helping low-income communities most affected by climate change.

Some worry that a tax or fee on carbon might drive manufacturing jobs out of state. As Inslee pointed out in a recent interview with the Spokesman-Review, this hasn’t happened in places that have put a price on carbon. British Columbia imposed a $25 per ton carbon fee 10 years ago, and its economy is among Canada’s strongest. Please contact your legislators and urge them to put a price on carbon.

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