Hawaii Carbon Cashback
Carbon Cashback
While this legislative session began positively with four carbon cashback bills: HB1146, SB1004, HB1498, and SB1060, they have all died. We've lost the opportunity this year for a policy that would have effectively reduced emissions while providing economic benefits to our low-to-middle-income families.
Many thanks to all who have supported carbon cashback. Your testimony and public support have gone a long way to raise awareness about one of the most effective climate policies. While we did not prevail in this session, we will continue to pursue a carbon cashback policy, locally and nationally.
Support for National Carbon Pricing
The Hawaii legislature has introduced two resolutions calling for the National Congress to enact carbon fee and dividend (carbon cashback). Carbon pricing remains at the top of CCL’s priorities so we urge you to reach out to your state-level Senator and Representative and ask them to support the following:
Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR200 (which was introduced by Senator Rhoads and co-sponsored by senators CHANG, GABBARD, KEITH-AGARAN, MCKELVEY)
House Concurrent Resolution HCR124 (which was introduced by Rep. Marten and co-sponsored by representatives GANADEN, HUSSEY-BURDICK, KAPELA, KILA, LOWEN, MIZUNO, and PERRUSO SHIMABUKURO).
If your Representative and/or Senator are already co-sponsors, please thank them via email or phone.
Carbon Cashback
Carbon Cashback is a policy designed to reduce emissions in an equitable manner by taxing fossil fuels and returning most of the revenue to Hawaii’s residents through a refundable tax credit.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby Hawaii and other environmental groups are in STRONG SUPPORT of Carbon Cashback and encourage anyone interested in policies that will effectively reduce carbon emissions while protecting our low-moderate income households to support this policy.
Talking Points, Facts, and Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled information to help clarify the carbon pricing and address questions about Carbon Cashback. Check out our Talking Points and Frequently Asked Questions for information that can help you better understand and share the rationale and benefits of the Carbon Cashback policy.
A price on carbon pollution will create the incentive to reduce our consumption of fossil fuel, increase demand for more sustainable energy and transportation, and reduce Hawaii’s carbon emissions.
Why price carbon in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, local leaders have recognized the potential of carbon pricing. To better understand its potential, the State Legislature commissioned a study to determine the impact and viability of implementing a carbon fee. The study includes a finding that “In the year 2045, emissions are 13% below 2045 baseline levels and 40% below 2019 levels.” Furthermore, the economy would not be harmed, as there would be only “small impacts on Hawai‘i’s overall economy.”
The study also mentioned the progressive nature of a carbon fee and dividend policy.
“… it provides more than proportional benefits to lower-income households. Making the policy progressive can be done through dividend payments of equal shares across households or payments more specifically targeting lower-income households.”
More recently, the Hawaii Tax Review Commission included carbon pricing as #1 on their list of recommendations in their 2020-2022 report. Their recommendation:
“Impose a carbon tax to incentivize moving away from carbon-based fuels and adopting clean energy. We recommend that the majority of the proceeds be rebated as a cashback to the residents of Hawaiʻi, with a disproportionate distribution to low-income households.”
How will carbon pricing affect Hawaii?
This video by Faith Action explains how a local carbon pricing and dividend policy can play an important role in helping Hawaii address its carbon emissions without creating a financial burden on residents.
‘Talking story’
CCL Hawaii leader, Sara Bower, joined Think Tech Hawaii Code Green host Howard Wiig to ‘talk story’ about carbon pricing on May 9, 2022.
If you agree that life, property and nature are worth preserving (and are hurt by CO2 because it produces climate change), then a carbon tax can be a good thing because it could make us choose items that are “carbon-free” and so, a lifestyle that encourages the preservation of the things we value—healthy people, markets and ecosystems. - Annu Hittle
Annu Hittle, former Hawaii State Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Coordinator, testified in support of SB 3150, a carbon pricing bill introduced in the Hawaii State Legislature in 2020. She published a post that summarized the importance of carbon pricing. Her message is timeless.
Read her post here.
