At a time when few good tidings are coming out of our capital, a welcome bipartisan bill emerged this holiday season.
The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act has been introduced in both the House and Senate. This is a simple and effective fee on carbon that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent in 12 years and 90 percent by 2050.
By stimulating the clean energy economy, economists predict 2.1 million new jobs would result from passage of this legislation.
Fees collected would not grow the government as they would be redistributed to every household in the country to spend as they see fit, with lower-income households receiving far more than they spend on any increased cost of energy.
A majority of Americans, including a majority of young Republicans, supports action on climate change.
Finally, we have a wise, market-based approach that will give hope to future generations.
Ask Sens. Bennet and Gardner and Rep. Tipton to support this legislation.
Deb Paulson
Durango
