Rhode Island Bill Would Establish Carbon Tax

NCEL members in Rhode Island introduced H 5369 on February 2nd to tax carbon dioxide in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The bill includes a trigger clause that neighboring states must enact similar policies for the legislation to go into effect, and NCEL is working to support legislators in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New York on similar efforts.

“Signals now being sent from Washington, D.C. make it clear that it is up to the states to take the lead on climate action and to lay the groundwork for a new energy economy that benefits all Americans,” said NCEL Executive Director Jeff Mauk at the press conference for H 5369.

NCEL member and Connecticut State Representative Jonathan Steinberg added the following statement:

“Your Connecticut colleagues applaud Rhode Island’s commitment to protecting the health of all of us across New England by considering this carbon-pricing plan. Along with our neighbors in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York, we hope to join Rhode Island in forging regional leadership on carbon pricing policy which will ultimately benefit our citizens for generations to come.”

Resources:

• A news story on the press conference is available here: http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20170202/carbon-taxing-proposal-back-before-general-assembly
• Footage of statements by bill sponsors Representative Aaron Regunberg and Senator Jeanine Calkin can be found here: http://www.ecori.org/government/2017/2/4/ri-looks-to-be-first-with-carbon-tax