Letter: SJ City Councilwoman gave good reasons to reduce natural gas

HR 763 discourages the production of greenhouse gases and gives money to the poorest among us.

Support carbon fee
bill to help the poor

Re: “San Jose electrification shows its commitment to clean energy” (Letter to the Editor, Nov. 25):

In her letter to the editor, San Jose City Council member Devora “Dev” Davis gave many reasons for us to drastically reduce burning natural gas, and she is completely correct.

However, it is undeniably the case that electric heating is significantly more expensive than heating with gas, and this will place a burden on our least affluent neighbors.

This is yet another reason to favor “carbon-fee-and-dividend” legislation such as HR 763, currently before the House. When enacted, this law will it place a fee on fuels responsible for greenhouse gases, thereby making electric heating comparatively more attractive.

In addition, a key feature is that the carbon fees are returned in equal shares to all residents, reimbursing most people for the higher costs of renewable energy.

In sum, at the same time that HR 763 discourages the production of greenhouse gases, it actually puts money into the pockets of the poorest among us. It deserves our support.

Martin Delson
San Jose

 

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