FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Job growth from a carbon fee with all revenue returned to households (chart by REMI).
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 3, 2018 — Citizens’ Climate Lobby today challenged the assumption in an anti-carbon tax resolution, introduced by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), that such a levy would be “detrimental to the United States economy.” If done the right way, a tax or fee on carbon would actually boost the economy.
“A revenue-neutral carbon tax that returns all the proceeds to American households will add jobs and increase GDP,” said CCL Executive Director Mark Reynolds.
The Scalise resolution introduced last week, H. Con. Res. 119, is similar to a resolution he introduced in the 114th Congress, which the U.S. House passed in June of 2016 by a vote of 237-163.
“This resolution tars all carbon pricing with the same brush and assumes that any carbon tax will hurt the economy,” said Reynolds. “Instead of supporting this resolution, members of Congress should seek a bipartisan, revenue-neutral carbon pricing plan like Carbon Fee and Dividend. Carbon pricing is a common-sense, market-based solution to climate change, which is supported by Republicans, Democrats and most economists. It is becoming the preferred solution to combat climate change around the world.”
A study from Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI) evaluated a fee on carbon — starting at $10 per ton of carbon dioxide and increasing by $10 per ton annually — whereby revenue from the fee is returned to all households in equal shares. The REMI study found that after 10 years, the policy would reduce CO2 emissions 33 percent below 1990 levels while adding 2.1 million jobs to the economy. At the same time, the policy would increase national GDP by as much as $80 to $90 billion per year.
“Reducing the risks of climate change while adding jobs is a win-win for America and the Republican Party,” said Reynolds.
A point-by-point rebuttal to each of the resolution’s claims is posted on CCL’s website.
Earlier this year, CCL launched the Carbon Fee and Dividend Calculator, a tool to provide a personalized estimate of the impact the policy will have on any household budget. The calculator uses extensive data from CCL’s Household Impact Study.
“A carbon tax won’t hurt poor Americans as long as revenue is returned equally to everyone,” said Reynolds. “The impact study shows that lower-income households will see a net gain.”
On June 12, CCL will send 1,200 volunteers from across the country to Capitol Hill to lobby their members of Congress in support of Carbon Fee and Dividend.
CONTACT: Steve Valk, , 404-769-7461
