From the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Mike Tidwell, Director

Compiled and edited by Ted Glick, CCAN National Campaign Coordinator

May 25, 2011

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network produces and distributes this periodic policy update on efforts to advance “cap and dividend” legislation in the U.S. Congress. The fight for this climate policy is currently being led on Capitol Hill by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME). In December, 2009 these Senators introduced the Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal Act, or CLEAR Act. Learn more at http://www.supportclearact.org.

Click here to view past Cap and Dividend Policy Updates.

 

In This Issue:

#1 Maria Cantwell speaks at major Brookings Institution event

#2 Senator Sees Opening in Budget, EPA Debates for Resurrecting Cap-and-Dividend Legislation

#3 Pricing Carbon to Reduce Emissions, Create Dividends

#4 Kudos to Collins

#5 Susan Collins statement on April Senate votes on EPA powers to regulate greenhouse gases

#6 Alternatives to cap and trade

#1 Maria Cantwell speaks at major Brookings Institution event

“I think that the way to a smart transition to this 21st century energy policy is a sensible diet that will help win a majority in the United States Senate, one that is gradual, predictable, that unleashes private sector investment to grow our economy. That’s why I introduced a 39-page CLEAR Act proposal, along with my colleague Susan Collins, which embraces these approaches, diversifying our nation’s energy supply, using an accurate price signal to harness the focus of the free market, and securing the most cost-effective solutions.” For the transcript of the full speech go to: http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/events/2011/0518_energy_future/20110518_keynote.pdf

#2 Senator Sees Opening in Budget, EPA Debates for Resurrecting Cap-and-Dividend Legislation

“With Congress struggling to find common ground in upcoming budget and debt ceiling talks, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) said May 18 she hopes to resurrect a 2009 “cap-and-dividend” bill that could help consumers meet rising energy costs, address rising deficits, and bridge the congressional divide over the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.” For the full story go to: http://climate.bna.com/climate/summary_news.aspx?ein=A0C7W0T8F0

#3 Pricing Carbon to Reduce Emissions, Create Dividends

“Author Peter Barnes, co-founder of the Working Assets Money Fund, suggests a program – the Sky Trust – modeled on the Alaska Permanent Fund with money sent to taxpayers electronically (‘checks are so last century’). He noted that President Barack Obama lowered payroll tax withholding and no one noticed. ‘This is a strong argument why dividend is the way to go,’ Barnes said. ‘It also gets the discussion out of the tax box, which is a very bad box to be in.'” For the full story go to: http://www.miller-mccune.com/environment/pricing-carbon-to-reduce-emissions-create-dividends-31344/

#4 Kudos to Collins

“I wanted to publicly thank Sen. Susan Collins for voting against Sen. Mitch McConnell’s amendment to the Clean Air Act, which would have stripped the EPA of its ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources forever! Now we need to get behind Sen. Collins in her CLEAR Act, which is a bipartisan effort to position the United States to be a leader in renewable energy and energy conservation, and will create green jobs here in our own country! The bill also proposes a rebate of 75 percent of revenues generated by the bill to be paid directly to American families.” For the full letter to the editor go to: http://www.timesrecord.com/articles/2011/05/06/opinion/letters/doc4dc43214b8ff0273101436.txt

#5 Susan Collins statement on April Senate votes on EPA powers to regulate greenhouse gases

“I continue to believe the best way forward is for Congress to pass a reasonable framework for regulating carbon pollution, as Senator Cantwell and I proposed in the CLEAR Act. This bipartisan Senate legislation would position the U.S. to be a leader in renewable energy and energy conservation technologies, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create new “green energy” jobs in our country rather than in China, and protect consumers by rebating 75 percent of revenues generated by the bill directly to American families.” For the full statement go to: http://collins.senate.gov/public/continue.cfm?FuseAction=PressRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=4525C2DE-F127-E018-59D1-BA7E7ACF9D7A&CFID=80962765&CFTOKEN=55269860

#6 Alternatives to cap and trade

“Cap-and-dividend is a variation on the cap-and-trade policy that caps greenhouse gas emissions and requires companies to pay outright for additional emission credits. Money raised through the program would be distributed to taxpayers as a way to offset likely increases in utility expenses. This method might reduce the potential for abuse and price increase of the cap-and-trade while limiting costs related to a straight carbon tax.” For the full article go to: http://www.ehow.com/info_8250254_alternatives-cap-trade.html

 

CCAN encourages readers of the Cap and Dividend Policy Update to distribute it to others who might be interested. We welcome input on the contents of this publication and ideas for what could be included. Send to Ted Glick at ted@chesapeakeclimate.org. To find out more about CCAN go to www.chesapeakeclimate.org.