SB 2018-206: Environmental Regulations Act (Passed)

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Putting all else in this bill aside, the carbon tax has been proven to be one the most effective means of reducing emissions where such a tax has been implemented.  That law was negotiated and passed with bipartisan support and signed by our current president.  I see no reason for this government to scrap the law now.

As the original sponsor of the law in question, I urge the Senate reject Section 5.4 of this bill and give the new program a chance.

(Also, on a budget-related note, repealing the law would increase the deficit because a portion of the revenue funds another initiative.  Most of the revenue gained from the law is split and returned to the taxpayers evenly.)

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

(Also, on a budget-related note, repealing the law would increase the deficit because a portion of the revenue funds another initiative.  Most of the revenue gained from the law is split and returned to the taxpayers evenly.)

If its repealed we just dont fund that initiative right? IIRC the tax was used to fund a new program, not to pay down the deficit.

30% of it was used to fund the Renewable Energy Rebate and Subsidy Act.

The main purpose of the tax is to further incentivize renewable energy and promote conservation of non-renewables.  Pricing carbon reflects the negative externalities borne by those who use less carbon, which is why most of the revenue is redistributed, similarly to Alaska's green check program.  British Columbia enacted the tax in 2008 and it decreased emissions 3.5 faster than the rest of Canada.

(The part that funds RERSA was a compromise.  I had wanted 100% of the revenues redistributed, but the President would not sign unless the tax partially funded RERSA.)

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

I thank the Senate for voting to keep this important environmental incentive on the books.