Most people love to celebrate the winter holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Gift giving and receiving lend excitement and joy to the celebration.
But what if you were to give and receive something each month? That is what you could celebrate if Congress passes the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, recently introduced with bipartisan support in both in the U.S. House and Senate. The act would put a steadily increasing fee on carbon sources and deposit the proceeds into the pockets of Americans via a monthly dividend.
When enacted into law, the bill will be effective, cutting greenhouse gas pollution by 40 percent in just 12 years. It will be good for people, saving lives and improving health. It will be good for the economy, adding jobs as the clean energy economy grows. It will not grow government, as the fees collected would be allocated to Americans to spend in any way they choose.
When this bill becomes law, Americans will have an opportunity to give and to receive every month. Their gift? Wise choices about energy. And in return? They will receive their equal share of collected fees, a steady climate and healthier communities.
David Folland, M.D.