Private jet travelers produce two tons of CO2 every hour. A newly
proposed bill will use jet fuel taxes to fund the development of clean
public transit alternatives.
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The ultra-wealthy flying in private jets are producing 14 times more CO2
emissions per passenger than commercial flight travelers, and 50 times
more than trains, emitting as much as millions of private automobiles.
Yet private jet travelers are taxed considerably less than commercial
air travelers, currently paying only 22 cents per gallon in jet fuel
taxes.

But now, Senator Ed Markey and Rep. Nydia Velasquez have introduced the
FATCAT Act, (Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation
Tax), which will increase the jet fuel tax to $1.95 per gallon, with no
exemptions for logging and oil exploration. The new revenues will go
toward air quality monitoring and investments in clean, affordable
public transit.

In just one hour, a single private jet can emit two metric tons of
carbon dioxide, making this an important step forward in holding the
ultra-rich accountable for their climate damage, while also
disincentivizing the behavior at the same time.

Billionaires traveling on private jets should not be paying less in
taxes than those flying commercial -- especially when those taxes will
support critical investments in public transit in the fight against
climate change! Send a message to Congress now: Support the FATCAT Act!

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According to a report by the Institute for Policy Studies and Patriotic
Millionaires, the wealthiest 1% of air travelers are responsible for
about 50% of all passenger flight carbon emissions.

Private jets pay just a tiny percentage of their costs for air traffic
control. Although they make up about 16% of the flights handled by the
system, private jet taxes contribute only about 2% of the system's
funding.

Meanwhile, in topsy-turvy fashion, despite paying far less in aviation
taxes, private jet travelers are among the richest people in U.S.
society. The median net worth among private jet owners is $190 million,
and the vast majority are male, over 50, with careers in banking,
finance, and real estate.

Private jet users should pay for the environmental damage caused by
their extravagant choices. Revenues from this legislation will be
transferred to the Airport & Airway Trust Fund and the Clean Communities
Trust Fund to expand environmentally sound transportation alternatives,
including passenger rail and bus routes near commercial airports.

These investments in public transit are absolutely critical in
continuing to reduce global greenhouse gasses in the global fight
against climate change.

It's time to make these polluters pay what they owe, and direct the
income toward transportation alternatives that are good for the planet.
Sign and send your letter to Congress now!
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Thank you for your attention,
The whole Common Dreams team

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