To: The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate
Democrats: Commit to Outlaw Fossil Fuels
Democratic Leadership and Candidates -
We call on you to Outlaw Fossil Fuels in your first 100 Days, if you are elected to Congressional majorities in November.
Vote immediately to pass the Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act (HR 3671), updated to include the following requirements for action.
I) Halt all new Fossil Fuel Projects:
Effective Immediately, no federal permits for new major fossil fuel projects may be issued or renewed - this includes fossil fuel extraction for oil, gas, or coal as well as fossil fuel infrastructure such as pipelines.
II) Accelerate and Legislate the transition to Renewable Energy -
By 2020: (1) prohibit the construction of new power plants that will use fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, oil; and (2) prohibit exports of domestically produced crude oil and natural gas, including liquefied natural gas.
By 2025: (1) 80% of electricity sold must be generated from clean energy resources, (2) 80% of new vehicle sales from manufacturers must be sales of zero-emission vehicles, and (3) 80% of train rail lines and train engines must be electrified.
By 2030: (1) 100% of electricity must be generated from clean energy resources, (2) 100% of vehicle sales from manufacturers must be zero-emission vehicles, and (3) 100% of train rail lines and train engines must be electrified.
III) Tax Fossil Fuels, End Subsidies, and Fund a Universal Basic Income:
The bill amends the internal Revenue Code to: (1) tax all imported fossil fuels at a rate of 100 USD per tonne of carbon, with the price increasing at 5% per annum; (2) tax all domestically produced fossil fuels at the point of extraction at 80 USD per tonne of carbon, with the price increasing at 5% per annum; (3) establish a 'Universal Basic Income" account to receive all fossil fuel tax funds, (4) disburse evenly to every U.S. citizen at least annually all collected fossil fuel taxes collected. (5) terminate specified fossil fuel subsidies, (6) permanently extend renewable electricity production tax credits for electricity generated from solar and wind,\; and (7) permanently extend a business energy investment tax credit for solar or wind energy technologies.
IV) Fund and Support a Just Transition for all Americans:
The bill establishes a car allowance rebate system within the Department of Transportation to provide economic incentives for consumers to purchase new, clean energy vehicles.
A Community Assistance Fund is established for specified industrial and energy efficiency programs.
The bill permanently reauthorizes the Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides energy efficiency retrofits of low-income homes.
The Center for Clean Energy Workforce Development is established within the Department of Labor.
We call on you to Outlaw Fossil Fuels in your first 100 Days, if you are elected to Congressional majorities in November.
Vote immediately to pass the Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act (HR 3671), updated to include the following requirements for action.
I) Halt all new Fossil Fuel Projects:
Effective Immediately, no federal permits for new major fossil fuel projects may be issued or renewed - this includes fossil fuel extraction for oil, gas, or coal as well as fossil fuel infrastructure such as pipelines.
II) Accelerate and Legislate the transition to Renewable Energy -
By 2020: (1) prohibit the construction of new power plants that will use fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, oil; and (2) prohibit exports of domestically produced crude oil and natural gas, including liquefied natural gas.
By 2025: (1) 80% of electricity sold must be generated from clean energy resources, (2) 80% of new vehicle sales from manufacturers must be sales of zero-emission vehicles, and (3) 80% of train rail lines and train engines must be electrified.
By 2030: (1) 100% of electricity must be generated from clean energy resources, (2) 100% of vehicle sales from manufacturers must be zero-emission vehicles, and (3) 100% of train rail lines and train engines must be electrified.
III) Tax Fossil Fuels, End Subsidies, and Fund a Universal Basic Income:
The bill amends the internal Revenue Code to: (1) tax all imported fossil fuels at a rate of 100 USD per tonne of carbon, with the price increasing at 5% per annum; (2) tax all domestically produced fossil fuels at the point of extraction at 80 USD per tonne of carbon, with the price increasing at 5% per annum; (3) establish a 'Universal Basic Income" account to receive all fossil fuel tax funds, (4) disburse evenly to every U.S. citizen at least annually all collected fossil fuel taxes collected. (5) terminate specified fossil fuel subsidies, (6) permanently extend renewable electricity production tax credits for electricity generated from solar and wind,\; and (7) permanently extend a business energy investment tax credit for solar or wind energy technologies.
IV) Fund and Support a Just Transition for all Americans:
The bill establishes a car allowance rebate system within the Department of Transportation to provide economic incentives for consumers to purchase new, clean energy vehicles.
A Community Assistance Fund is established for specified industrial and energy efficiency programs.
The bill permanently reauthorizes the Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides energy efficiency retrofits of low-income homes.
The Center for Clean Energy Workforce Development is established within the Department of Labor.
Why is this important?
Every day, the news on Climate is worse. Extreme fires are burning in West threatening friends and family. Hurricane floods threaten my old home in Florida. Enough is enough.
Bold action is so clearly needed, but Congressional Leaders seem distracted by Republican craziness and unwilling to act. If Democrats do win back Congress, we need to Stop Trump - but that's not enough. Democrats need to show real, positive leadership on Climate now.
Bold action is so clearly needed, but Congressional Leaders seem distracted by Republican craziness and unwilling to act. If Democrats do win back Congress, we need to Stop Trump - but that's not enough. Democrats need to show real, positive leadership on Climate now.