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Dear John,
The ultra-wealthy flying in private jets are producing 14 times more CO2 emissions per passenger mile 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.
Now, Senator Ed Markey and Rep. Nydia Velázquez 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, and eliminate exemptions for logging and oil exploration. The new revenues will go toward air quality monitoring and investments in clean, affordable public transit.
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!
In just one hour, a single private jet can emit two metric tons of carbon dioxide. So the FATCAT Act is an important step forward in holding the ultra-rich accountable for their climate damage, while also disincentivizing the behavior at the same time.
The fact is 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, 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 white, male, and over 50, with careers in banking, finance, and real estate.
Let’s be clear: these rich flyers have a huge impact on our climate. 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 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.
“The 1 percent can’t free ride on our environment and our infrastructure at a discount. It’s time to ground these fat cats and make them pay their fair share so that we can invest in building public transportation that communities across the country and our economy desperately need.” - Senator Ed Markey
“Working families shouldn't subsidize the ultra-wealthy to fly private and destroy our environment. It's time for the rich to pay for their pollution so we can fund environmental justice initiatives and affordable public transportation across the country.” - Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez
Vice-Chair of Patriotic Millionaires, Stephen Price, agrees, saying he recently decided to sell his private jet due to the environmental damages.
“I highly doubt that other wealthy jet owners will follow my example. But if my wealthy peers are going to willfully destroy the planet, the least they can do is pay for it.”
It’s time to make polluters pay, and direct the income toward transportation alternatives that are good for the planet. Send your letter to Congress now!
Thank you for holding private jet flyers responsible and promoting environmentally conscious policies!
Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action
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