Program showed value of carbon dividend

Thanks to Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06) and Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11) for organizing a three-hour climate forum at North Central College in Naperville on July 13. Panelist Tom Skilling presented compelling evidence on the imminent danger from climate change with many effects already happening, such as record flooding and record monster storms. The problem is so daunting it can lead to a feeling of helplessness and inaction.

Luckily, Sen. Dick Durbin pointed toward a solution by explaining the policy that he thinks is "fundamental to solving the problem" - a carbon tax. Not all carbon tax proposals are alike, and Sen. Durbin was clear that he finds the "most credible" proposal to be carbon fee and dividend.

Durbin explained concisely why this type of policy is both fair and effective: when the revenue from the carbon tax is returned to consumers, "it becomes a tax reduction for most families, while in the marketplace it is a cost factor these businesses are taking into consideration."

While he did not mention The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (H.R. 763), this bipartisan legislation would perform very much as he described. The fee put on carbon would be returned to households and the free market would drive us to a healthy green economy.

Let our legislators know you support action on climate that is bipartisan, good for the economy and protects those most disadvantaged by climate change.

Mark Ailes

Lombard