Congressman Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, one of the highest ranking members of the U.S. House of Representatives, introduced the Cap and Dividend Act of 2009 on April 1st. Read more about H.R. 1682 here. The proposal will help solve the climate crisis, help our economy grow and help working families prosper. It is simple, transparent and fair.
Contact your local Congressional representative to ask him or her to sign on as a co-sponsor of this important piece of legislation. Take action>>
Climate leader Bill McKibben supports this bill: "Simplicity is its own virtue sometimes, and this is one of them. Van Hollen's bill sets out a straightforward mechanism for reducing carbon in the atmosphere in a way that will actually be popular with voters. It's the most innovative, yet obvious, piece of climate legislation in the 20 years I've been following this battle."
Van Hollen, Co-Chair of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus, explained his initiative in this way: "The strength of cap and dividend lies in its simplicity and durability. All permits are sold at auction, and all proceeds are given back to the American people. As the price of energy rises, the monthly dividends will keep American consumers whole.
"At its core, any successful climate change bill cannot just reduce carbon emissions. It must attract and retain the long-term, popular support of the American people. I believe the cap and dividend approach offers the best chance to get the job done."
The legislation will cut carbon pollution to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, the strongest target proposed in federal legislation so far (although CCAN believes that target should be strengthened). It auctions 100% of the carbon permits--instead of giving them away to large polluters--and allows for no potentially complex "carbon offsets" of any kind. It will spur economic investment and innovation and create millions of jobs in clean energy. It returns every penny of higher carbon prices to citizens on a monthly, per capita basis. Every American, every month, will receive an "Energy Security Dividend."
This is the kind of bill we need to break through the political logjam on Capitol Hill.
Sincerely,
Mike Tidwell
Director, USCEC
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