Ask Congress to Put a Price on Carbon
What is a Price on Carbon?
Polluters pay a fee whenever they use fossil fuels and damage our environment. The fee is based on the metric tons of CO2 generated. As this price flows through the economy, businesses and people are incentivized to switch to clean energy.
The money collected from taxing polluters on their carbon emissions is given back to Americans in the form of a monthly payment to spend however they choose. This type of carbon pricing policy is called a “carbon fee and dividend.”
Studies have shown that a steadily-rising price, starting at $15/ton and rising by $10/ton per year, would cut fossil fuel pollution by 30% in the first 5 years alone. This will put America on a path to hit the targets set by the Paris accords and to reach net zero by 2050.
Learn more about pricing carbon in our video:
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any carbon pricing bills currently in Congress?
Yes! The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R.5744) charges corporate polluters a fee for the carbon pollution they put into our air, then gives that money to Americans. It’s been reintroduced in the current Congress. CCL has supported this bill since its initial introduction in 2018. You can learn more about the Energy Innovation Act (and ask your member of Congress to support it!) here.
Will my Representative listen to me?
Yes! The idea that elected representatives don’t listen to their constituents is not true. Or at least, it’s highly unusual. In reality, congressional staffers take every call and voicemail and read every email their office receives and pass these onto their member of Congress in regular briefings. Congress works for you, and they want to know what their constituents care about. You may receive a generic email in response, but your message was still received loud and clear. And when you’re combining your voice with thousands of other CCLers across the nation, they tend to perk up even more.
Why is a price on carbon good for Americans?
- Stops energy price hikes: Americans shouldn’t have to live with price shocks and energy inflation. Pricing carbon will drive energy innovation, giving every American community access to abundant, affordable clean energy at a predictable price.
- Supports the American economy: With new clean energy sources comes millions of new jobs. Researchers, engineers, manufacturers, construction workers and electricians will be in high demand, putting Americans to work in good careers.
- Gives the market a say: Pricing carbon incentivizes businesses to move away from fossil fuels, but it doesn’t specify how or subsidize one type of energy over another. Instead, it lets the economy sort out the most efficient way to provide Americans with power.
Find out more about why to put a price on carbon here.
Why do we need a Prefix to our name to email our Senator?
Members of Congress require a prefix for emails that are sent to their office. We acknowledge that the prefixes provided do not encompass all gender identities. Unfortunately it is Congress that sets these prefixes and so we are required to use the ones that are currently accepted by the majority of offices.
How else can I help?
You only need to email once yourself. Then, share this page with any friends, family and coworkers who want to help get a price on carbon in the U.S.!
Who is Citizens’ Climate Lobby?
Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan grassroots advocacy climate change organization that exists to create the political will for climate change solutions by enabling individual breakthroughs in the exercise of personal and political power.
Our consistently respectful, nonpartisan approach to climate education is designed to create a broad, sustainable foundation for climate action across all geographic regions and political inclinations.
CCL empowers everyday people to work with their community and their members of Congress. Our supporters cover the political spectrum and work in more than 450 local chapters. Together, we’re building support for a national bipartisan solution to climate change.
