On Nature: David Voigts

There have been many measures considered to combat climate change, but the recently introduced bipartisan “Energy Innovation Act” may be the best one. Although all the co-sponsors are Democrats, several Republicans have shown an interest in the bill. It also has the support of environmental groups like the bipartisan Citizens Climate Lobby and the conservative republicEn. In addition, 75% of young Republicans support the concepts in the bill.

The bill would make polluters pay for the carbon they emit into the atmosphere. This fee would cause energy companies and other industries to use cleaner options. The money collected from the fee, minus administrative costs, would be returned to Americans by way of a monthly dividend that would offset any higher costs of products and services from companies emitting carbon. Since all dividends would be the same, Americans responsible for less carbon pollution would have more money to spend as they see fit.

In order to protect U.S. manufacturers and jobs, a border carbon adjustment fee is included in the bill. It would punish foreign companies that export cheaper, but dirtier, goods and level the manufacturing playing field.

The Energy Innovation Act is a commonsense bill that congress should pass.

David Voigts is a retired ecologist and the current Conservation Chair for the Prairie Rapids Audubon Society. He is a Tama County native, graduating from Dinsdale High School, and lives in rural Jesup on his wife’s family farm.