Carbon pricing offers a cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ten states are already pricing carbon, and a number of states are considering similar action. This fact sheet summarizes and compares nine carbon pricing proposals introduced in the 115th Congress (2017–2018), highlighting similarities and differences. Seven of these proposals would establish a carbon tax (or “carbon fee”) and two would establish a cap-and-dividend program (a cap-and-trade program that rebates program revenues to consumers). The nine proposals are:
The Tax Pollution, Not Profits Act (H.R.2014) introduced by Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) on April 6, 2017;
America Wins Act (H.R.4209) introduced by Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) on Nov. 1, 2017;
The Healthy Climate and Family Security Act of 2018 (S.2352 and H.R. 4889) introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) on Jan. 29, 2018;
The American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act of 2018 (S.2368 and H.R. 4926) reintroduced by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and David Cicilline (D-R.I.) on Feb. 5, 2018;
The Modernizing America with Rebuilding to Kickstart the Economy of the Twenty-first Century with a Historic Infrastructure-Centered Expansion Act (H.R.6463) introduced by Reps. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) on July 23, 2018;
Consumers Rebate to Ban Emissions and Boost Alternative Energy Act (H.R.6928) introduced by Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) on Sept. 27, 2018; and
The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act introduced by Reps. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), Francis Rooney (R-Fla.), John Delaney (D-Md.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Charlie Crist (R-Fla.) on Nov. 29, 2018.
