Carbon price still in play leading into conference
Heading into CCL’s virtual conference this weekend (Nov. 13-14), it appears a price on carbon is on the table and close to being included in the reconciliation bill Senate Democrats are drafting. The headline on new a Bloomberg story proclaims, “White-House Backed Carbon Tax in Sight for Biden’s Climate Bill.” Regarding the plan to initiate a rising fee on carbon, the article quotes Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI): “We have 49 out of 50 votes” from Democrats in the Senate, the Democrat from Rhode Island said. If the Senate passes it, “the House has assured us they will also pass it, and the White House has assured us the president will sign it into law.” This reporting is major validation of CCL volunteers’ efforts to contact Congress and President Biden in recent months about a price on carbon. It also adds greater importance to next week’s meetings with congressional offices. In a press release about the conference, CCL Executive Director Mark Reynolds said, “President Biden has promised the world that we will cut carbon emissions in half by 2030, and the way to ensure that we hit that target is to include a price on carbon in the Build Back Better bill. Our conference and lobby week gives us a chance to make one more push for a fee on carbon with revenue given to households.”
In other news this week:
- Pre-conference receptions on Friday: CCL is holding several pre-conference receptions before the Grit and Gratitude virtual conference this weekend, which are open to BIPOC, conservatives, and students. For more information, check out this Community post.
- Republican climate plan: Senate Republicans have released their “American Energy, Jobs, and Climate” plan, which would cut global carbon emissions 40% by 2050. While the reduction goal is nowhere near the net-zero target much of the world has agreed to, it is significant because the plan is the first time Republicans have set a goal for reducing emissions. Meanwhile, members of the Conservative Climate Caucus are attending the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
- Another cosponsor for H.R. 2307: There are now 88 House members signed on to the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act. Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-05) is the latest cosponsor. You can express your appreciation by liking, retweeting and replying to our tweet.
- Climate provisions in infrastructure bill: Late last week, the House passed and sent to President Biden the bipartisan infrastructure framework (BIF). The legislation contains climate-related funding, including provisions from two bills that were secondary asks during CCL’s June lobbying. Read more.
- Job opening: Citizens’ Climate Education has an opening for a full-time IT Support Specialist. More information and application here.
|
