STATE COLLEGE, PA, May 11 — More than a dozen area businesses, municipalities, religious and educational organizations have endorsed the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (HR 2307) now before Congress.
If passed, supporters say this act will reduce America’s carbon pollution by 30 percent in the first five years and is the single most powerful tool available to reach net zero by 2050. It puts a fee on carbon pollution, creating a level playing field for clean energy. The money collected from fossil fuel companies goes to Americans in the form of a monthly “carbon cash back” payment so that everyone can afford the transition.
“I congratulate these local groups that understand the critical need for legislative action to spur the transition to the clean energy economy,” said Lisa Richardson, co-statewide coordinator of Pennsylvania’s 19 Citizens’ Climate Lobby chapters and co-leader of the State College CCL chapter, as well.
Area municipalities formally endorsing HR 2307 include Ferguson and Patton Townships. Penn State’s undergraduate student government, The University Park Undergraduate Association, backs it too. State College Borough has endorsed the concept behind the bill which is called carbon fee and dividend.
Businesses supporting the bill include Happy Valley Vineyard and Winery, RE Farm Café LLC, Shy Bear Brewing LLC of Lewistown, SpectaclesFYEye, Tait Farm Foods, The Cheese Shoppe, and Webster’s Bookstore Café.
Three spiritual groups—University Baptist and Brethren Church in State College, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of State College, and the State College Friends Meeting—have also endorsed HR 2307.
“Nationally, more than a thousand businesses, 135 local governments, 143 faith groups, and 34 educational entities including nearby Juniata College, support the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act,” said Richardson.
“A price on carbon is the best single lever we have to fight climate change because it will spur innovation to move to clean energy,” she added. “And this bill does not grow the size of government. It takes the money raised and gives it back to each American family monthly.”