Category: Pricing Carbon, Paying Dividends

From the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Mike Tidwell, director
Compiled and edited by Ted Glick, CCAN Policy Director
April 16, 2010

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network has launched a weekly policy update about 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). Last December these Senators introduced the Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal Act, or CLEAR Act. Learn more at http://www.supportclearact.org.

Week of April 11-16:  As Congress began returning on Monday from its Easter recess, the Institute for Policy Integrity released a study which reported on the positive economic effects of the CLEAR Act. It addressed, among other issues, the issue of regional disparities, finding them to be relatively minimal under the CLEAR Act. Senators Cantwell and Collins continued to publicly advocate for CLEAR, with Cantwell appearing on the national radio show “Living on Earth.” As Earth Day approaches, an article by Earth Day founder Denis Hayes, among other points made, supported the CLEAR Act. And Darren Samuelsohn in E&E News analyzed what is happening overall with climate legislation in the US Senate, including the perspectives of Senators Cantwell and Collins.

In This Issue:

1. Senators Cantwell and Collins call attention to Institute for Policy Integrity report verifying that CLEAR Act will have positive economic effects
2. Washington Post: “CLEAR Act delivers, study says”
3. Senator Cantwell appears on Living on Earth national radio program
4. Earth Day leader Denis Hayes: “the best climate legislation that has yet been proposed”
5. E&E News reports on status of climate legislation efforts in first week back after Easter recess

#1  Senators Cantwell and Collins call attention to Institute for Policy Integrity report verifying that CLEAR Act will have positive economic effects

In a press release issued on Monday, April 12th, CLEAR Act co-sponsors Senators Maria Cantwell and Susan Collins “said an independent study by the Institute for Policy Integrity at the New York University Law School concluded that their bipartisan cap-and-dividend legislation will drive technological innovations and create clean-energy jobs. The report finds that the CLEAR Act would avoid large regional disparities and provide the greatest support to low-income families.”

To see the full press release and for links to the IPI report go to:

http://cantwell.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=323761

#2  Washington Post: “CLEAR Act delivers, study says”

In a blog post on the Washington Post website on April 12th, Michael Livermore, Director of the Institute for Public Integrity, is quoted, in reference to their study, as saying, “”These jobs will offer relatively high wages in industries that are experiencing overcapacity and unemployment. The economic incentives in the CLEAR Act will begin to mop up some of the slack in the market. Presently unemployed construction workers will find more opportunities as green investment kicks in.”

See the full blog post at:

http://views.washingtonpost.com/climate-change/post-carbon/2010/04/clear_act_delivers_study_says.html

#3  Senator Cantwell appears on Living on Earth national radio program

Appearing on Living on Earth, “the weekly environmental news and information program,” carried on approximately 300 radio stations, Senator Cantwell explained a key difference between the CLEAR Act and what Senators Kerry, Graham and Lieberman are working on:

“We’re trying to get a legislative solution that the American people can buy into, that they can see that this is a workable way for us to get off of carbon; and to my more skeptical colleagues, a process that you literally are going to put into legislative statute, that you know how the formula works and how the reductions will be made. So you’re not worried about this changing. The predictability is in the simplicity of the formula. And I think that while there probably will be discussions on how to add the larger energy pieces to this, what we’re really trying to do is unveil a concept and push an idea that is the level of simplicity that is needed to get America’s buyoff. It is a clear and predictable path.”

For a transcript of the full interview go to:

http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.htm?programID=10-P13-00015&segmentID=3

#4  Earth Day leader Denis Hayes: “the best climate legislation that has yet been proposed”

In an article published on Yale Environment 360, Denis Hayes, international chair of Earth Day 2010, called for strong action on climate while supporting the CLEAR Act. Writing about the CLEAR Act he said, “Most experts I know agree, in private, that the Cantwell-Collins bill in the Senate is the best climate legislation that has yet been proposed. In fact, it is the only option under consideration that would make a meaningful dent in greenhouse gas emissions in the near term. It places an absolute cap on carbon where it enters the economy; auctions 100 percent of carbon permits; and returns the revenues to the public on a pro rata basis. Moreover, it’s just 40 pages long, while the competing bills contain another thousand pages of loopholes, special interest exceptions, and bad baggage.”

For the full article go to:

http://www.e360.yale.edu/content/feature.msp?id=2262

#5  E&E News reports on status of climate legislation efforts in first week back after Easter recess

In an article by E&E reporter Darren Samuelsohn, in the context of an overview of what is going on in the Senate, he quotes Senator Cantwell on the Kerry/Graham/Lieberman effort: “’I can’t wait to see a bill from them,’ Cantwell said yesterday, noting that the two legislative approaches are very different in nature. ‘They’re trying to go a lot, the whole gamut,’ she said of Kerry, Graham and Lieberman. ‘We’re just focusing on the right mechanism for changing the direction on carbon and getting on to a plan that helps us before oil goes back up to over $100 a barrel.’”

For the full article go to:

http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/04/13/13climatewire-senate-leader-reaffirms-plans-for-climate-bi-34741.html

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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 http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org.

From the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Mike Tidwell, director
Compiled and edited by Ted Glick, CCAN Policy Director
April 2, 2010

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network has launched a weekly policy update about 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). Last December these Senators introduced the Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal Act, or CLEAR Act. Learn more at http://www.supportclearact.org.

March 29-April 2 Overview: Despite the U.S. Congress being on recess this past week (and next), interest in and support for the cap and dividend/CLEAR Act approach to climate legislation continues to grow. Newsweek columnist Jonathan Alter wrote positively about what he calls “cap-and-rebate” in his latest column. Mother Jones magazine carried a story on its website blog about “The Other Climate Bill.” Senator Susan Collins was interviewed by Clean Skies News; during the interview she suggested that the CLEAR Act could be paired with legislation, The American Clean Energy Leadership Act, passed by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last year. On Tuesday, March 30th, in what is probably the first such action in the country, the Santa Rosa, Ca. City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of the CLEAR Act. And at the end of the week, on Good Friday, the Philadelphia Daily News came out with an editorial supporting the CLEAR Act.

Articles in This Weekly Report

– Philadelphia, Pa. Daily News editorializes in support of CLEAR Act
– Newsweek columnist Jonathan Alter: Cap-and-rebate could make energy legislation “very popular”
-Mother Jones article on CLEAR Act: “The Other Climate Bill”
– Senator Collins interviewed by Clean Skies News
– E&E story highlights Senator Collins suggestion to pair CLEAR Act with energy legislation approved in 2009
– Senators Cantwell and Collins issue press release on University of Massachusetts study
-Santa Rosa, Ca. City Council unanimously endorses the CLEAR Act.

Philadelphia Daily News: “Why not look at a simpler approach?”

On April 2 the Philadelphia (Pa.) Daily News came out with an editorial, “Obama Joins ‘Drill, Baby, Drill’ Team. Criticizing Obama’s decision to open up vast areas off U.S. coasts to oil drilling, it went on to say, “Every day we delay in passing a comprehensive energy and climate-change bill, the more expensive it becomes and the more our planet (and this country) is threatened. An effective bill would include:

“A price on carbon that provides an incentive to lower emissions. If, as Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Wednesday, “Cap and trade is not in the lexicon anymore,” why not look closer at a simpler approach proposed by Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Susan Collins, R-Maine.

It’s called ‘cap and dividend.'”

For the full editorial click here.

Newsweek columnist Jonathan Alter: Cap-and-rebate could make energy legislation “very popular”

In a column, “1965 All Over Again”, in the April 5, 2010 newstand issue, Newsweek columnist Jonathan Alter says that “energy is just a few tweaks away from being a political winner. Changing cap-and-trade to the far more sensible cap-and-rebate (in which polluters’ fees go straight back to the public as checks) could make it very popular-and confirm the role of clean energy in rebuilding the economy.”

For the full article click here

Mother Jones article on CLEAR Act: “The Other Climate Bill”

A piece written by Mother Jones reporter Kate Sheppard published on March 25th overviews the CLEAR Act in relation to the efforts by Kerry, Graham and Lieberman: “Ready for the battle of the climate bills? As John Kerry, Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman hammer out climate legislation, their biggest challenge may not be coal-state Democrats, or Republicans who deny global warming-but a bipartisan pair of senators who believe they’ve already produced better legislation.”

For the full article click here

Senator Collins interviewed by Clean Skies News

In a 7-minute video, Sen. Susan Collins talks to Clean Skies News about The CLEAR Act. Among other points made, she explains why her plan should be included in Senate climate legislation, what she’s hearing about the Senate bill-writing process, and where she and President Obama have common ground on climate issues.

To view the video click here

E&E story highlights Senator Collins’ suggestion to pair CLEAR Act with energy legislation approved in 2009

A March 29th story by Robin Bravender and Katherine Ling for E&E News called attention to a statement made by Senator Susan Collins in her Clean Skies interview where she suggested that the CLEAR Act could be paired with “energy legislation approved last year by Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s (D-N.M.) Energy and Natural Resources Committee.” That legislation, the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009, S-1462, calls for a variety of steps to be taken to advance clean energy, energy efficiency and other goals.

The March 29th story also reports on Senator Bernie Sanders’ “deep disappointment” with how the Kerry-Graham-Lieberman bill is developing.

For the full article click here

Senators Cantwell and Collins issue press release on University of Massachusetts study

Last week Senators Cantwell and Collins issued a joint press release calling attention to the study released by professors Jim Boyce and Matthew Riddle of the University of Massachusetts. In Senator Cantwell’s words, “This study validates one of the CLEAR Act’s key principles, that properly designed climate legislation can fairly distribute economic as well as environmental benefits to every corner of America.”

Senator Collins also emphasized the Act’s environmental and economic benefits: “The results of this study will help reassure the American public that we can accomplish the goal of putting a price on carbon without bankrupting American families and businesses. I applaud Senator Cantwell’s leadership. I am delighted to be working with her on this straightforward, effective and fair clean energy bill.”

To view the full press release click here

Santa Rosa, Ca. City Council unanimously endorses the CLEAR Act

In what may be the first such action in the country, the city council of Santa Rosa, Ca., the county seat of Sonoma County with a population of 161,00, unanimously passed a resolution in support of the CLEAR Act. The resolution called on the Mayor to send a letter to their congressional delegation urging them to support the CLEAR Act.

To view the agenda item as it was drafted for the city council click here

In this picture Mike Sandler and Ann Hancock are holding the large dividend check, flanked by the Mayor and Councilmembers. The check is for $350 (a climate science reference), and is made payable to
“Every Santa Rosan.” The memo line reads: “Dividend payment from polluters to every American.”

CCAN encourages readers of Cap and Dividend Policy Update to distribute it to others who might be interested. We welcome input on the content 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 http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org.

From the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, Mike Tidwell, director
Compiled and edited by Ted Glick, CCAN Policy Director
April 25, 2010

The Chesapeake Climate Action Network has launched a weekly policy update about 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). Last December these Senators introduced the Carbon Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal Act, or CLEAR Act. Learn more at http://www.supportclearact.org.

Week of April 17-24:  As the almost-six-months-long efforts of John Kerry, Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman to put together federal climate legislation teeter precariously, support continues to grow for the CLEAR Act. 36 religious organizations released a statement in which they said they are “enthusiastic about the CLEAR Act.” On Earth Day, April 22nd, Public Opinion Strategies released the results of polling that show “a policy similar to the CLEAR Act generated strong support from Republicans, Democrats and independents.” Senator Susan Collins, speaking at a National Journal forum on April 19th, indicated that Republican support for federal climate legislation will likely depend upon whether money raised is rebated to consumers. She also stated that she sees possibilities for the incorporation of CLEAR Act legislative provisions during a possible Senate floor debate over a bill passed in a bi-partisan way by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee last year. Senate Maria Cantwell was interviewed by Elizabeth Kolbert for Yale University’s Environmental 360 website, and a Climate Wire article explored the views of Maine’s two Republican Senators, seen as key votes.

In This Issue:

1. A New Nationwide Poll and Surveys in Five Moderate States Shows Majority Support for Energy Reform; “Clean Energy Refund” Preferred by Republicans
2. Collins: GOP Political Support for Carbon Caps Depends on Where the Money Goes
3. Elizabeth Kolbert Interviews Maria Cantwell
4. Religious Groups Sign-on Letter:  “We Are Enthusiastic About the CLEAR Act”
5. Maine’s Republican Senators and the Efforts to Pass Federal Climate Legislation
6. Susan Collins Sees Possible Window for  Cap and Dividend

#1  A New Nationwide Poll and Surveys in Five Moderate States Shows Majority Support for Energy Reform; “Clean Energy Refund” Preferred by Republicans

On April 22nd a media briefing was held to announce the results of a Public Opinion Strategies national survey and a smaller five state survey asking likely voters about potential climate legislation. The surveys were conducted in Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Idaho and Virginia, five politically moderate to conservative states. They indicated that a majority of voters across party lines want to overhaul the nation’s energy system to reduce polluting emissions and increase the use of renewable energy sources.

Other key results of the survey were that a clean energy refund has the best potential to attract Republican support, and that in a national survey, a description of a policy similar to the CLEAR Act generated strong support from Republicans, Democrats and independents.

To see the full report, go to http://supportclearact.com/resources

#2  Collins: GOP Political Support for Carbon Caps Depends on Where the Money Goes

Speaking at a National Journal forum on April 19th, Senator Susan Collins said, as reported in The Hill, “that Republicans will be more likely to support capping greenhouse gas emissions if the majority of the money raised under a climate law is steered to consumers.

“’If it is going to produce, over the next 10 years, trillions of dollars of revenue that go to Washington, there is not a lot of [GOP] interest in doing that,” Collins said. ‘If, on the other hand, the majority of the money is going to be rebated to consumers, I think there would be more openness to that,’ she added.”

To see the full article go to: http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/93237-collins-gop-political-support-for-carbon-caps-depends-on-where-the-money-goes

#3  Elizabeth Kolbert Interviews Maria Cantwell

In a wide-ranging interview conducted by Elizabeth Kolbert for the Yale University Environment 360 website, Senator Cantwell expands upon the policy and political strengths of the CLEAR Act. Among her statements: “It takes some time to turn the ship toward an idea that is different. But I can’t think of any better time, when the SEC [Securities and Exchange Commission] is deciding that it needs to go after Wall Street for credit default swaps, to make the point that you don’t want to make the same kind of mistake here.”

To see the full interview go to:  http://www.e360.yale.edu/content/feature.msp?id=2265

#4  Religious Groups Sign-on Letter:  “We Are Enthusiastic About the CLEAR Act”

A statement released by the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns on April 19th and signed by 36 religious organizations around the country called upon Congress “to move swiftly by joining Senators Cantwell and Collins in moving the Clean Limits and Energy for America’s Renewal (CLEAR) Act, S.2877. We are enthusiastic about the CLEAR Act, introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell (WA) and Sen. Susan Collins (ME) in December 2009. It outlines a promising structure for the United States to reduce its carbon footprint while encouraging the development of alternative, sustainable energy systems.”

To see the full statement and list of signers go to: http://www.theshalomcenter.org/node/1703

#5  Maine’s Republican Senators and the Efforts to Pass Federal Climate Legislation

In a Climate Wire article published on April 19th, the views of Maine’s two U.S. Senators, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, on climate legislation are explored. Described as holding the “balance of power” in the effort to put a price on carbon emissions, “their support in any effort to stem global warming might seem almost automatic. Sen. Susan Collins stomached a lurching helicopter ride between mountains and slept in an Antarctic hut to get a firsthand view of evidence of abrupt climate shifts of the past. Sen. Olympia Snowe introduced global warming legislation more than 20 years ago.”

For the full article go to: 

http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org/detail/news.cfm?news_id=1243

#6  Susan Collins Sees Window for  Cap and Dividend

In an article published on the SolveClimate.org website, Senator Collins is quoted as seeing the opportunity for adding in major elements of the CLEAR Act as part of a possible Senate floor debate over legislation passed by a Senate committee last year. “During a National Journal forum, [she]  said that the best approach might be to start with the bill that has the most support — the energy-only bill approved last summer by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee — and then add in other elements during debate on the Senate floor. ‘It’s a bipartisan bill that’s supported by both the committee chairman [Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M)] and the ranking member [Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)]. If that were brought to the floor, it could be a platform to debate a clean energy bill, such as the one Maria Cantwell and I have introduced.’”

For the full article go to: http://solveclimate.com/blog/20100420/taking-climate-bill-straight-senate-floor-could-open-window-cap-and-dividend

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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 http://www.chesapeakeclimate.org.