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.

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!

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!