We’re All in This Together
Hot Summer but Hopeful Signs for Climate Grows
By Peter Dugas
It’s been a bumpy ride but there are hopeful signs the US may finally engage in effective and equitable climate policy. As citizens of the only state with both senators on the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus – Mainers can speak up and drive robust policy.
Hopeful Signs for Climate Example #1
While not all we hoped for, and certainly not all we need, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) has reached a deal with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for considerable climate legislation as part of the reconciliation package. This legislation appears to break the previous record for the largest climate provisions previously passed just last year in the bipartisan infrastructure package.
Example #2
The pressure on the US to price carbon (joining every other developed nation in the world) is about to get intense. Starting January 1st, the EU and UK (and likely Canada soon after) will start levying Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs or carbon tariffs) on imports from countries with little or no carbon price. The EU and UK are eager to accelerate their transition away from greenhouse gas emissions and these CBAMs protect their industries from carbon-intensive imports while encouraging their trading partners to join the club.
Example #3
Lawmakers on both sides are waking up to the need to price carbon. Conservatives are beginning to speak out in favor of joining the CBAM club (see Senators Kramer, Cassidy and Romney) while the majority of the Progressive Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and Hispanic Caucus now support carbon fee and dividend legislation which penalizes industrial polluters and benefits taxpayers.
Example #4
Canada’s Carbon Cashback program is a growing success. For years, Canadians have been receiving carbon dividend payments, paid by polluters. Starting this year those payments have transferred from being buried in their taxes to transparent quarterly checks which will only increase the popularity of this effective, equitable, and popular policy.
Example #5
Business support is accelerating because they have a lot to gain (and lose). America’s industry is on average >3X more efficient than China’s and >4X India’s and Russia’s. Pricing dirtier imports for their embedded carbon pollution would invigorate US industry, shorten inflation-weary supply lines, and weaken petrol-state threats like Vladimir Putin. The growing support in Maine now numbers at 150+ businesses and community leaders and 28 towns.
Example #6
While the Supreme Court’s recent West Virginia v. EPA decision was devastating for regulating carbon emissions, it clarified the need for climate policy beyond expensive regulation. Because the Constitution explicitly empowers Congress to raise and distribute money, carbon fee and dividend would be impervious to judicial review.
Your voice matters
Your voice matters, especially in Maine, the only state with both senators on the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus.
Contact your lawmakers (cclusa.org/mcc) today and demand immediate climate action. Humanity can’t wait.
Peter Dugas is a Portland resident and volunteer with Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
We’re All in this Together is a monthly Climate Justice column provided by the Portland chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
