Editor,

I’ve just returned from the other Washington, where I was pleased to meet with our congressman, Rick Larsen.

I traveled with 600 fellow members of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby to our 2014 national conference.

All of us had appointments to discuss climate solutions with our representatives.

I thank Larsen and his staff for graciousness and extra effort in accommodating my appointment after a short-notice floor vote caused schedule disarray.  Larsen is working on our behalf to enact legislation that will limit dangerous greenhouse gasses.

I urged him to consider doing this through a revenue-neutral carbon tax. Under this proposal, fees would be imposed on energy sources at the point of extraction based on how much carbon pollution they create.

Revenues would be returned directly to households as monthly checks. Lives would be saved as dirty fuels are left in the ground, reducing soot, mercury, sulfur and carbon pollution.

Net jobs in most parts of the country would increase as low-carbon energy industries expand.

Border adjustments would eliminate any advantage imports made in heavy-polluting countries would have over domestic products.

This policy would leverage the power of free markets to turn our economy toward clean energy without growing government and without burdensome regulations.

For this reason, a string of high-profile Republicans has recently endorsed our approach, including former Secretary of State George Schultz and former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulsen.

I believe the climate problem is solvable and that you and I can make a difference. I invite you to join the Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

Our approach is nonpartisan.

The Whidbey chapter’s next meeting is 9:45 a.m. July 12 at Ciao Restaurant on Main Street in Coupeville.

Bob Hallahan

Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Whidbey Island Chapter