Weekly Briefing: Urge POTUS To Support Carbon Pricing

September 22, 2021

Campaign urging Biden to support carbon price nears 10K messages 

In just two weeks, CCL’s campaign to email President Biden and ask him to support carbon pricing has generated nearly 10,000 messages to the White House. The push comes as the Senate Finance Committee works to complete its section of the budget reconciliation bill, which could contain a carbon fee with cashback among provisions to address climate change.

Support from the president could play a key role in getting carbon pricing across the finish line. CCL Strategy Director Tony Sirna explains the timely importance of this campaign:

“Budget negotiations are currently happening now between the White House and congressional leadership. It's critical that Biden and his advisors know there is strong support across the country for carbon pricing. Now is the time to make our voices heard, especially from red and purple states where strong support for climate action may be especially compelling to the White House.”

If you haven’t already, use our online action tool to tell President Biden we need a price on carbon, and then ask others to send a message, too.

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In other news this week: 

News about carbon pricing: Reports continue to surface about the possibility of carbon pricing being included in budget reconciliation. Late last week, the Washington Examiner had a story about how Biden’s emissions reductions goals can’t be met without carbon pricing. The Wall Street Journal also had a story about carbon pricing being under consideration by the Senate Finance Committee. E&E News had a piece about carbon pricing being back in the mix for the reconciliation bill.

In the House next week: Votes may come in the House next week on the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the House version of the budget reconciliation bill. The budget reconciliation bill in the House will likely contain no provisions for carbon pricing. CCL VP for Government Affairs says this is no cause for alarm, as the Senate version of the reconciliation bill has more sway on the final outcome than the House bill. These votes will likely make a splash in the media, so check out our “LTE Topics” resource for guidance on writing letters about this news.

World Resources Institute calls for carbon price: Another major voice is calling for carbon pricing to be part of legislation currently being drafted in Congress. In a piece published on its website last week, World Resources Institute said, “To be as effective as possible and ensure long-term success, [the reconciliation package] should also include a price on carbon emissions.” WRI cited an analysis from Resources for the Future showing deeper emissions reductions with a carbon price.

Video explains carbon fee and dividend: Looking for a quick and simple way to tell people how carbon fee and dividend works? We recently posted a short animated video on CCL’s YouTube channel that explains the policy and how it benefits people and reduces carbon pollution. Spread the word about this effective and essential tool to fight climate change by downloading the video and sharing it on social media platforms.

Correction on cosponsor: Last week’s newsletter had the wrong first name of H.R. 2307 cosponsor Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14). 

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Take action this week  

If you have a little time: Check out and share this tweet from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), illustrating that a price on carbon is crucial for America to meet our goal of 50% emissions reduction by 2030. Whitehouse offers a rallying cry, saying, “Let’s do the fee.”

If you have more time: Join a webinar for progressives or for conservatives on September 23. The CCL Progressive Outreach Action Team will meet to discuss the latest IPCC report at 8:30 p.m. ET, and the CCL Conservative Caucus Action Team will meet at 8 p.m. ET for an LTE (letter to the editor) writing workshop with CCL State & Local Media Coordinator Charlotte Ward. 

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Featured Lever This Week 

Lobbying: Liaisons send letters, urge 'yes' vote

Following the successful passing of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) through the Senate, CCL’s liaisons have begun sending letters of support from CCL to Republican House members. H.R. 3684 passed the Senate on August 10 with 19 Republican Senators voting in favor. The letter urges representatives to vote “yes” on the infrastructure package, and it highlights the importance of bipartisanship in tackling climate issues.

"Bipartisanship is something that is important to us, and we know it’s not something that just happens. You have to work at it, and doing that work is essential to a vibrant, thriving democracy. It is also popular. Poll after poll shows us that the American people want their representatives to work together to form policy," explains an excerpt from the letter.

H.R. 3684 is expected to come to the floor for a vote on September 27.

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Upcoming Trainings 

9/23: Big Tent Climate Talks - Join us for Big Tent Climate Talks, an engaging, monthly conversation that spotlights leaders in the climate community outside of CCL. This month's conversation will feature CCL's Senior Business Relations Manager Kyle Kammien talking with Niskanen Center's Corey Schrodt, Legislative Affairs Manager on Climate. Join us! 

9/30: Social Media Actions to Support Reconciliation - Join CCL's Marketing Manager Ashley Hunt Martorano for a training that will demonstrate how to leverage the power of social media to amplify and support CCL. This training will help to ensure that strong climate policy, like a carbon price, is included in the emerging details of the budget reconciliation process. Join us!

Coming up: Katharine Hayhoe’s “Saving Us” now available - Katharine Hayhoe tells CCLers about why she wrote her latest book "Saving Us" and announces a Q&A session for CCL volunteers in late October. Watch her message here.

Need training on the basics? Catch our next session of Core Volunteer Training, made for newer volunteers:

9/28: Chapter Development Basics - CCL chapters form the backbone of our organization. This training will highlight recommendations and resources to help get a new CCL chapter up and running. Plus, you will hear from CCL group leaders about their experiences organizing their groups. Join us! 

To see other topics and past trainings, visit the Training Topics page of CCL Community. 
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This week on the CCL blog:  

Volunteer Spotlight: Bea Acosta - Bea Acosta is a 22-year-old Conservative Fellow with CCL. She was inspired to work on climate after smog exposure affected her mom’s health. Read more.

IPCC report spurs climate advocates onward - CCL's research team weighs in on the latest IPCC report, and what this means for climate advocacy in the future. Read more.