Jerry Jackman: Climate Lobby plan would help Valley’s drivers

Re “Questions on climate change bill” (Opinions, April 10): Skepticism as to California’s ability to halve its oil consumption by 2030 is certainly warranted. The rate of replacing gas-guzzling vehicles with more energy efficient cars and trucks, particularly electrics and hybrids, is too slow though sure to increase as cheaper, longer range electric vehicles are introduced. Most Californians are willing to pay a price to reduce emissions, but it is galling that drivers in other states pay lower prices because they accept low pollution standards.

A far simpler and more equitable method to reduce consumption of fossil fuels is to use market incentives by adopting the nationwide carbon fee and dividend program promoted by the Citizens Climate Lobby. The fees would be collected at the point of production and distributed monthly to households. This is similar to the annual Alaska permanent fund dividend. In the comparatively poor San Joaquin Valley, most residents would receive more in dividends than they would pay in fuel costs and all would be encouraged to conserve. Administrative costs would be minimal as it would be only a collection and transfer function. As the transition to a clean-energy economy is achieved, the program will diminish and expire.

This story was originally published April 15, 2015 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Jerry Jackman: Climate Lobby plan would help Valley’s drivers."