An article in The Columbian (“Electric car age arrives: Higher gas prices pushing new sales but poorer people shut out,” The Columbian, Sept. 23) noted that higher gas prices increased as a result of the Climate Commitment Act and are pushing sales of EV. But those economically challenged do not have the resources to make the EV transition.
But what if we had a policy that could not only motivate industries responsible to clean up their emissions, but also compensate those impacted? There is such a bill being reintroduced into Congress. This bill will parallel existing efforts to reduce emissions with a carbon fee. In addition, a trust will be created to hold these fees for distribution to those citizens impacted as a cash back. It’s called the Energy Innovation Act.
For example, an oil and gas company emits carbon beyond acceptable limits. The Energy Innovation Act charges an initial fee of $15 per metric ton with increases each year if emission targets are not met. These fees are held in a trust to pay for program administration and provide cash to citizens.
Similar programs have been executed successfully in Canada, Sweden, and the U.K.
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez recognizes the economic challenge. Request that she support the Energy Innovation Act.
