The CCIA (Climate and Community Investment Act, S4264A and A6967) is needed to fund the goals of the CLCPA (Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act), which set New York State goals for addressing climate change.
Don’t be misled by scare tactics and misinformation. Opponents want to stress that CCIA will probably result in higher prices of some products like gasoline.
The bill does not raise prices on goods, but some companies will try to pass on that cost of doing business to customers.
Here’s what CCIA will do:
· Set a fee on carbon to reduce use of fossil fuels.
· Use part of that money as rebates to those earning less than $77,000 annually and small businesses.
· Use the rest to fund development of renewable energy and help communities most impacted by pollution.
· Create an estimated 160,000 new jobs over ten years.
For those who don’t qualify for rebates, isn’t it worth it? Consider it an investment in the future of our children and grandchildren. More dire warnings from scientists and even economists have urged rapid action on climate.
If you think action on climate is expensive, wait until you see the cost of inaction. Some of the world’s major insurance companies are estimating the astronomical costs of increased wildfires, floods, droughts, and climate migration. Not only the monetary costs, but the costs in human suffering will be devastating.
We’re just coming out of a pandemic that tried our spirits and our economy. We had better address the other crisis already upon us.
The CCIA is a necessary step in that direction.
Bill Makofske
Warwick