CCL Welcomes Introduction of Congressman Pete Stark's Save Our Climate Act
Anne Tolch
Friends,
Please take a moment to read the press release from Citizens Climate Lobby below (and attached) as well as the highlights of the Save our Climate Act on Congressman Stark’s website (first link below).
Appreciation to Congressman Pete Stark and Citizens Climate Lobby for this step in the right direction!
With best as always,
Anne
CONTACT: STEVE VALK, STEVE...@CITIZENSCLIMATELOBBY.ORG, 404-769-7461
OCTOBER 26, 2011
Citizens Climate Lobby welcomes introduction of Rep. Pete Stark’s Save Our Climate Act
CORONADO, CALIF. – As the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions grows more evident each week, Citizens Climate Lobby welcomed the introduction of Rep. Pete Stark’s (D-CA) Save Our Climate Act as a critical step to stop the worst effects of climate change.
“We’re running out of time to wean our nation off the fossil fuels that are heating up the planet,” said CCL’s Executive Director Mark Reynolds. “We need to put a price on carbon that shifts energy usage to clean sources, and that’s what Congressman Stark’s bill does.”
The Save Our Climate Act, H.R. 3242, would tax coal, oil and gas based on the amount of carbon dioxide these fuels would emit when burned. Starting at $10 per ton of CO2, the tax would increase by $10 each year until CO2 emissions fall to 20 percent of 1990 levels. Most of the revenue from the Save Our Climate Act – an estimated $2.6 trillion in the first 10 years – would be returned to consumers as an annual rebate to offset higher energy costs. A portion of that revenue -- $490 billion – would go toward deficit reduction.
“This is a revenue-neutral approach that Republicans should be able to embrace, as it will not increase the size of government,” said Reynolds. “What it WILL do is move massive amounts of investment money toward clean energy, expanding a sector of the economy that shows the most promise for producing the jobs Americans need.”
News of Stark’s legislation was warmly received in San Diego, where local Citizens Climate Lobby chapter leader John Reaves said, “This bill could bring prosperity and security to this country at no better time. I hope Republicans will embrace and press the bill forward.”
The controversy surrounding the bankruptcy of solar panel maker Solyndra has eroded support for government programs that subsidize clean energy. A clear, predicable price signal on carbon, however, will send private investors to wind, solar and other alternative technologies, reducing the need for the federal government to fund emerging companies.
“When it comes clean energy, we don’t want to kill the goose that’s laying the golden eggs in our economy. But perhaps somebody besides the federal government can feed the goose, and that’s what we’ll accomplish with a price on carbon,” said Reynolds.
LOCAL CONTACT: John Reaves, jo...@lawreaves.com, 619-525-0035.
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Anne Tolch
Vice Chairperson
The Sustainability Alliance of Southern California
www.thesustainabilityalliance.org