MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • February 7, 2021
The increasing intensity of the weather results from the warming of the oceans, and it is getting worse. We need national legislation to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide, and the carbon cashback approach is considered by many economists and scientists to be the most effective first step. The Maine Climate Council’s plan is impressive, but since Maine produces 0.3 percent of the greenhouse gases in the U.S., it will not save us. Please tell Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and Reps. Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden to pass a carbon cashback bill soon. This will put a fee on fossil fuels and give you a monthly check to cover the increased fuel costs and stimulate renewables. The carbon cashback approach will help middle- and low-income people financially by more than covering the change in fuel prices. Call your lawmakers now, because the weather is getting worse. ~ Nancy Hasenfus, Brunswick