Commentary: Proposed fuel tax a win for environment, taxpayers

The citizens of Florida's 19th Congressional District should sincerely applaud Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Fla., Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., Rep. Charlie Crist, R-Fla., Rep. John Delaney, D-Md., and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., for their bipartisan cosponsorship of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (HR 7173), which was introduced in the House of Representatives Nov. 27.

Their bill puts a fee on the burning of carbon-based fuels, which would then be returned in the form of a dividend to Americans. 

Comprehensive studies by environmental scientists and economists have shown that this carbon fee and dividend approach will reduce the level of greenhouse gases by 33 percent in 10 years. In addition, 2.1 million jobs would be created throughout our economy as a consequence. 

Over the last few weeks, three new reports — the October 2018 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Fourth National Climate Assessment and the United Nations’ Environment Program 2018 Emissions Gap Report — have all emphatically warned of the importance of maintaining the global warming magnitude below 1.5 degrees C to minimize the consequences of climate change.

Reducing the input of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere is time critical, and this bill directs national attention to the problem. 

A less-warm planet will save lives, sustain a healthy economy and improve human and environmental health.

Finally, the fees collected from fossil fuel producers puts money back into the pockets of taxpayers.

We wholeheartedly support the five co-sponsors for their leadership, timeliness and a bipartisan approach in introducing this legislation. 

Benz is a retired physician living in Naples and Savarese is a professor of marine science at Florida Gulf Coast University.

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