GOP Whines "Tired Of Playing Defense" On Environment; Exactly 1 GOP Sponsor For Carbon Pricing

[hatrack]

EDIT

As Graham put it, “I’m tired of playing defense on the environment.” Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, was on stage with Graham. “There is a strong story that comes with leadership over the decades when it comes to conservation,” she said. “Unfortunately, as Republicans oftentimes we don’t talk about it enough.”

The Roosevelt Caucus Republicans talked about protecting special places, managing forests, maintaining parks and improving access to public lands. Like the president, at their press conference, they hardly spoke of climate change.

EDIT

But the Roosevelt Republicans aren’t keen on a carbon price and dividend. Sen. Graham said he doesn’t want a government mandate. Murkowski said she’s concerned about the impact on some of her constituents.

“If you’re going to put a price on carbon that is going to increase the cost of diesel, home heating fuel to places in rural Alaska that already pay sky-high rates, you’ve got to tell me how we’re not going to hurt the most vulnerable,” she said. Carbon dividend bills in the House and Senate have 60 co-sponsors. Only one is a Republican.

EDIT

https://www.alaskapublic.org/2019/07/29/tired-of-playing-defense-gop-claims-the-environment-issue-but-climate-change-not-so-much/

[progree]

1. I thought the carbon price bills all had a provision of a income tax credit so on average

people aren't hurt. Those leading more frugal life-styles (CO2-wise) than average will come out ahead, those whose activities emit more CO2 than average will, yes, come out behind on this.

Or something. Well, now that I think about it, some of the carbon tax will go into infrastructures, so I guess tax-wise on average people will come out behind, but have more infrastructure spending.

[hatrack]

2. Two problems I have with carbon pricing, at least in the bills so far . . .

1. It's way too low - ranging from $15 to $40 a ton.

2. Just waiting for someone to find a way to game it - after all, that's what the financial sector does with everything else, from credit default swaps to futures contracts to viaticals, so why should the livability of the planet be any different?