WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new bill, introduced by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), would impose fees on greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and industrial facilities, and on conventional air pollutants in environmental justice communities. The Save Our Future Act would direct revenues from these fees to energy transition communities and workers, programs for energy assistance and climate solutions in frontline communities, Native and Tribal programs for environmental cleanup and climate resilience, and reclamation of degraded lands.

“With great promise for the climate, vulnerable communities, and wildlife, Senators Whitehouse and Schatz have crafted the next generation of carbon pricing bills,” said Shannon Heyck-Williams, director of climate and energy policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “Not only would their proposal drive down a range of climate-altering emissions, but it would also help clean up areas burdened by pollution, as well as return significant revenues to environmental justice and energy transition communities while funding reclamation of degraded lands. These Senators recognize the complex challenges of meeting net-zero emissions goals by mid-century, and have stepped up with a comprehensive approach that supports people and workers in the transition to a clean economy.”