The Founders called the states “laboratories of democracy,” and today’s state legislatures are taking on that role with their own aggressive moves against climate change. In our next webinar, ASBC explores current legislative actions in MA, CT, RI, WA and NY. We’ll hear from state legislators, an economist and a business leader; all working to pass carbon taxes in their states. Jeff Mauk Executive Director, National Caucus of Environmental Legislators Robert Mohr Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Paul College, University of New Hampshire Aaron Regunberg State Representative, RI Kevin Ranker State Senator, WA Michael Green Executive Director, Climate Action Business Association

1. Opportunities to Address
Climate Change:
State-based Carbon Taxes
March 17, 2017

2. • Represent over 200,000 businesses in 40 states.
• Over 80 business organizations are members.
• Over 130 companies are members.
• Advocate at federal level in Washington, DC.
• Advocate in state capitals.
• Place Op-eds and Policy Statements in media.
• Have Biz leaders be spokes to media on issues.
• Bring Biz leaders to DC to testify & lobby Congress & Administration.
ASBC’s Reach/Capabilities
asbcouncil.org/webinars

3. Upcoming Events
March 23 Webinar
National Carbon Pricing
April 11 – 12 Event
Congressional In-District Carbon Pricing / Climate Change Lobby
Day
May 2 Event
Business Climate Change Lobby Day, Washington, D.C.
asbcouncil.org/webinars

4. Jeff Mauk
Executive Director, National Caucus
of Environmental Legislators
Robert Mohr
Associate Professor, Department of
Economics, Paul College,
University of New Hampshire
Aaron Regunberg
State Representative, RI
Kevin Ranker
State Senator, WA
Michael Green
Executive Director, Climate Action Business
Association
Richard Eidlin
VP of Public Policy & Co-founder
American Sustainable Business
Council
Speakers
asbcouncil.org/webinars

5. CARBON PRICING IN THE
NORTHEAST

6. AT A GLANCE
● Nearly 40 nations and over 20 cities, states and
regions have already put a price on carbon, and
nearly $22 billion was raised globally in 2015 as a
result.
● The Northeast has been a leader on energy
issues, such as the nine-state northeast Regional
Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

7. CONNECTICUT
Establishing a carbon price for fossil fuels sold in
Connecticut (HB 7247)
● Chief Sponsor: Representative Jonathan Steinberg
● Fee: $15 per ton of CO2, increasing by $5 per ton
annually
● Allocation:
○ 25% toward climate resilience, efficiency and other
renewable energy programs,
○ 30% would provide dividends to employers in the state
○ 40% would provide dividends to state residents

8. MASSACHUSETTS
An act combating climate change (S1821)
● Chief Sponsor: Senator Michael Barrett
● Fee: $10 per ton of CO2, rising $5 a year
until $40 a ton
● Allocation: All revenue would be returned
to households and businesses

9. MASSACHUSETTS
An act to promote green infrastructure, reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, and create jobs (H.1726)
● Chief Sponsor: Representative Jennifer Benson
● Fee: $20 per ton of CO2, rising $5 a year until
$40 a ton
● Allocation:
○ 80% of revenue would be returned to households and
businesses
○ 20% would be reinvested in transportation, resiliency,
and clean energy projects that reduce emissions

10. NEW HAMPSHIRE
Establishes a study commission (SB123)
● Chief Sponsor: Senator Martha Fuller Clark
● Impact: Establishing a commission to study a
carbon reduction investment program for New
Hampshire

11. NEW YORK
Establishes a tax on carbon-based fuels
(A00107/S02846)
● Chief Sponsor: Senator Kevin Parker, Assemblyman
Kevin Cahill
● Fee: $35 per ton of CO2, increasing by $15 a ton
annually to a maximum of $185
● Allocation:
○ 60% would be returned to low and moderate income
households
○ 40% would be invested in clean energy and transportation
infrastructure

12. NEW YORK
Authorizes a study (A01919)
● Chief Sponsor: Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton
● Impact: Authorizes a study on implementing a
greenhouse gas or carbon emissions fee or tax

13. RHODE ISLAND
Clean energy investment and carbon pricing act of
2017 (S0365/H5369)
● Chief Sponsor: Senator Jeanine Calkin and
Representative Aaron Regunberg
● Fee: $15 per ton of CO2, increasing by $5 per
ton annually
● Allocation:
○ 70% refunded via per capita and per employee rebates
to families and businesses
○ 25% would be invested into renewable energy and
efficiency programs

14. VERMONT
An act relating to a cap and trade program (H.273)
● Chief Sponsor: Representative Mollie Burke
● Impact: This bill proposes to enable Vermont
to participate in a multijurisdictional cap and
trade program. 25% of revenue would support
weatherization programs, 25% would support
electricity efficiency, and the remaining 50%
would support sustainable transportation.

15. VERMONT
An act relating to a carbon tax and cap and trade
study (H.394)
● Chief Sponsor: Representative Mollie Burke
● Impact: Proposes a study of carbon pricing and
cap and trade models in Vermont

16. CONTACT
Jeff Mauk, Executive Director
The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
● Phone: 202-744-1006
● Email: jmauk@ncel.net

17. ROBERT MOHR, ASSOC. PROFESSOR,
DEPT. OF ECONOMICS, PAUL COLLEGE, UNH
Robert Mohr’s research focuses on public finance,
innovation, and environmental policy. At the University of
New Hampshire, he teaches graduate courses in
microeconomic theory and public finance and
undergraduate courses in microeconomics, public policy
and environmental economics.
asbcouncil.org/webinars

18. AARON REGUNBERG, STATE REPRESENTATIVE, RI
Aaron Regunberg has fought for legislation that will
benefit our schools, working families, the environment and
our economy. He is proud to have helped lead successful
efforts to raise the minimum wage (including the first
increase for tipped workers in more than two decades),
win millions more dollars in school facilities funding, create
new renewable energy programs, and more.
asbcouncil.org/webinars

19. KEVIN RANKER, STATE SENATOR, WA
Kevin Ranker was first elected to the Washington State
Senate in 2008 and was reelected in 2012 and 2016. He
has served in Majority Leadership and as Chair of the
Natural Resources Committee and the Environment
Committee. Most recently, Kevin was elected by his
colleagues to serve as the lead Democrat on the Ways
and Means Committee responsible for the $42 billion state
operating budget.
asbcouncil.org/webinars

20. State Carbon Pricing Network

21. NETWORK MEMBERS
• There are currently 17 campaigns in the network
– These include the dark blue states featured on the
map

22. STATE UPDATES
• Clicking on the dark blue states on the map allows you to learn
more about each state’s campaign
• Information mentioned on the website includes: climate goals,
who is leading the campaign, current status, and any proposed
legislation

23. MEMBER SERVICES
• Services CXC provides Network members include:
– Policy analysis
– Campaign planning expertise
– Forum to share ideas
– Training & skill building
• Entering your contact information in the space provided gives you
access to a variety of resources, such as op-ed templates, compiled
legislation, and slide decks

24. Working with ASBC
Richard Eidlin, Vice President/Co-founder
reidlin@asbcouncil.org
303-478-0131
Bryan McGannon, Policy Director
bmcgannon@asbcouncil.org
202-650-7678