MORNING SENTINEL • October 23, 2021
Government is needed to avoid the worst of the careening climate crisis by enacting systemic change. The change receiving most publicity in the Build Back Better Act is known as the Clean Electricity Performance Program. It’s goal to the nation’s energy systems uses either bonuses and penalties to incentivize the switch to renewables by electricity generators. However, Sen. Manchin signaled that he cannot go with that plan. Far better is carbon pricing. It would involve a steadily rising price on all fossil (carbon) fuels, based upon their emissions when burned. Canada, the EU and another 40 industrial countries have already initiated the pricing of carbon emissions. The Senate Finance Committee is planning to incorporate carbon pricing in the reconciliation package. Call your senators and President Biden urging their support. ~ Peter Garrett, Winslow