Letter to the editor: Price on carbon will enable transition to clean energy

Patricia DeMarco’s outstanding op-ed (“Energy independence means good union jobs in clean energy,” March 16, TribLIVE) describes the disadvantages and risks of using fossil fuels and the benefits of switching to renewable energy to achieve energy independence. Unfortunately, the U.S. does not have the policies in place to accomplish this critical transition. The latest effort, the climate provisions of the Build Back Better Act, are unlikely to receive Senate approval.

The most effective policy we can implement will involve the entire economy in this critical challenge. Putting a price on carbon emissions by adding an annually increasing fee to fossil fuels at the coal mine, oil or gas well will make clean energy options more attractive. Returning the proceeds to each citizen monthly in the form of a “carbon dividend” will fully cover the increased cost of using energy for 95% of the population.

This policy will unleash the power of the marketplace, giving each individual, institution and energy producer the incentive to switch to zero carbon emission fuels.

A recent International Monetary Fund working paper estimates the U.S. currently subsidizes fossil fuels at $660 billion per year with tax breaks, under-pricing future climate damage, premature deaths from pollution and other local costs. A price on carbon emissions is the best way to reverse these harmful supports.

If you want to help the transition to clean energy, go to citizensclimate lobby.org/get-loud-take-action/ and let the White House and your congressmen know that you support “putting a price on carbon.”

Ed Hyde

Forest Hills