Letter to the Editor

Massachusetts should price carbon

Dear Editor:

The biggest crisis the nation and the world face right now is climate change.  Those of us near Massachusetts coast line are well aware of this and want our state to show its leadership in fighting climate change.  Carbon pricing legislation stands out as the most direct way to begin this.

In survey after survey 90 percent of economists say that putting a price on carbon is the most effective and efficient way to reduce carbon emissions.  Mow there are two bills stalled in the MA legislature that would price carbon for transportation and heating fuels.  Write Gov. Baker to break the logjam at Charlie.baker@state.ma.us.  Here are a few sentences as examples of what to send:

Governor, I’m asking you to continue bold, bipartisan environmental leadership in Massachusetts by supporting a market-based strategy to reduce carbon pollution.  Please support S. 1786 or S. 1747

We are not on pace to achieve our Global Warming Solution Act mandates.  Carbon pricing will help by putting a fee on emissions, rebating it back to those who pay it, and creating an incentive to invest in clean energy and efficiency.  An analysis done by the MA Department of Energy Resources has shown carbon pricing to be good for our economy, for consumers and for jobs.   Reducing our reliance on imported oil and gas and building our clean energy sector is strong economic and environmental policy!

Carol Walker