Letter to the editor: Carbon fee and dividend is fair

Bob Horger’s letter attacking the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (“Carbon fee, dividend is wealth redistribution scheme,” Oct. 2, TribLIVE) ignores the larger imperative to address the damage done by global warming.

The current fires, floods and heat waves portend much more serious disasters if we do not stop burning fossil fuels. The carbon pricing feature of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend act is the strongest policy prescription available, with the potential to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030.

With their larger homes and cars, frequent flying and other luxuries, the affluent burn much more fossil fuel than those less fortunate, causing proportionally more warming. A just transition to clean energy requires this group to bear a larger share of the burden.

The dividend provision of the bill recognizes that the short-term costs of the transition to clean energy will fall disproportionally on those with lower incomes. The shift of income to the poorest 40% of us helps this group weather the transition.

Longer-term, every income level will benefit as the cost of energy will be comparable or lower than what we spend today (Princeton University Net Zero America Report).

America will not lose jobs from manufacturers moving to countries where carbon is cheaper. A border adjustment fee will surcharge imports from those countries based on a product’s carbon content. The EU and Canada incorporate this feature in their carbon pricing laws.

I have asked Sen. Bob Casey to support a price on carbon in the budget reconciliation bill. I encourage all caring Pennsylvanians to do the same.

Ed Hyde

Forest Hills

The writer is a member of Citizens Climate Lobby.