WASHINGTON -- Representative John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) is proposing a 50-cent-per-gallon increase in the current federal gasoline tax, phased in over five years, along with a $50 per ton carbon tax, as part of his continued efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% to 80% by 2050 and limit the damaging effects of global warming.
The 50-cent, phased-in tax would also be applied to jet fuel and kerosene, but would exempt diesel and the nonpetroleum portion of biofuels.
Before introducing a formal bill, Dingell is inviting [image-nocss] constituents and other interested parties to review his current proposal and provide feedback.
Click here to read summary of the proposed legislation and to provide feedback.
In order to reduce greenhouse gases and make the planet safe and healthy for future generations it will take a significant investment from all of us, Dingell said. A fee on carbon emissions requires a tithe from all citizens and industries, but no one entity will be unfairly leveled with a devastating burden. More importantly, it provides an incentive for change in our economy and our way of life. I welcome public input on how this policy proposal can best balance our environmental and economic concerns and I look forward to receiving feedback.
Earlier this year, Dingell spearheaded the development of an energy independence bill that was approved by the full House in the summer. This legislation includes efficiency provisions that will reduce energy costs to consumers and remove more than 10.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2030, an amount equal to five times the annual emissions of all of the cars and trucks on the road in America today. In addition, Dingell is working to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developing an economywide cap-and-trade program. He is also a co-sponsor the Hill-Terry fuel economy bill, which would mandate an increase in fuel economy standards by nearly 40% by 2022.
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