Thank you, Sen. Cory Gardner, for working with Sen. Michael Bennet and other lawmakers in a bipartisan fashion to request maximum funding for carbon capture, utilization and storage (both in tax credits and for research and development). Pursuing this technology will help combat climate change and help our economy.
In your opinion piece about the Green New Deal (“Green New Deal is a raw new deal for Colorado,” April 4), you emphasize the importance of working together, across the aisle, to develop realistic solutions to climate change.
Fortunately, bipartisan legislation has been introduced into Congress, the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, which is projected to reduce U.S. carbon emissions by at least 40% in the first 12 years. This act will improve the health of Coloradans by reducing pollution and will create 2.1 million jobs due to economic growth in local communities. It is a very good deal for Coloradans.
As you recognize, agriculture is very important to our economy. Unfortunately, it is threatened by climate change and our increasing drought conditions. Without immediate legislation on climate change, Colorado will experience more severe weather events, droughts and fires. The Energy Innovation Act further benefits agriculture by exempting it from the tax on fuel for agricultural use and other emissions associated with operations.
Sen. Gardner, I wholeheartedly agree that we must all work together to develop realistic solutions to climate change. Please support the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.
Gail Harriss
Durango
