In accord with lobbying week for carbon pricing, state Sen. Michael J. Barrett, D-Lexington, has submitted a bill (S1747) that will, by using market forces, be the most efficient and effective way to move us to a healthier environment.
On March 9, James Hansen, former director of NASA’s Goddard Institute and now at Columbia University, told the Boston Globe that citizens have a constitutional right to a healthy environment. He and virtually all economists agree that a program like that proposed in Barrett’s bill will be the most effective way to move us toward such an environment.
In addition, a 2014 study by the state found that in four years a program like this could add 6,000 jobs in Massachusetts. With S1747 creating a “fee and rebate” program for fossil fuels, consumers can save money in a clean energy economy. Fuel companies are charged a fee based on how much fuel they sell, and the total fee collected is returned to residents and businesses. If the consumer uses less fuel through weathering a home, carpooling, taking the bus or riding a bike, less from the fee is earned but some money is still put in their pockets. I urge people to press senators and representatives to support this bill.
Carolyn Kohn
Northampton