Carbon Act Now in Senate

One month after the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act was introduced in the House of Representatives, Senators Chris Coons, Democrat of Delaware, and Jeff Flake, a retiring Republican of Arizona, followed suit in the Senate. 

The legislation, which would apply a nationwide price on carbon emissions and return the revenue to households each month, is expected to be reintroduced in the House and Senate in 2019. 

The incoming House of Representatives will have a Democratic majority, Democrats having gained 40 seats in the midterm elections last month. In the Senate, Republicans increased their majority and will hold 53 of the chamber’s 100 seats. 

“Republicans need to get serious about climate change,” Senator Flake wrote on Twitter on Dec. 19. “That’s why I introduced a revenue-neutral carbon tax bill in the House several years ago. Today, Chris Coons and I have introduced a bipartisan, revenue-neutral carbon tax bill that provides an honest path to clean energy.” 

In a statement, Senator Coons said, “Putting an economy-wide price on carbon and other greenhouse gases is a comprehensive way to reduce emissions, spur innovation, and create jobs. I am proud to introduce this legislation with my good friend Jeff Flake.”

Since its introduction by five co-sponsors in the House, five more representatives have signed on, most recently Dan Lipinski of Illinois and Scott Peters of California.