Opinion: Romney has a plan that is pro-business and pro-climate
Utah Sen. Mitt Romney recognizes that climate action and business do not need to be enemies on the national stage.
“Let’s take every action we can that makes sense that has the prospect of reducing the impact of climate change. But I want to do that in a way that’s smart and that will actually make a difference globally, not just something that will make us feel good …”
Those aren’t my words; they are Sen. Mitt Romney’s. I could not agree more.
At a Washington Postevent last month, Romney laid out his vision for the future of climate policy. His message: The best, most effective climate policies will create a massive incentive for the private sector to innovate. These innovations will be clean and affordable. They will encourage high-polluting countries like China and India to do their part. He proposed a price on carbon with border adjustment taxes to help drive these outcomes.
I applaud Romney for speaking up. As I see it, there is a clear need for more pro-business approaches to solving the climate challenge. We must act. But too often, federal climate action has come at great expense to the American people. Policies that pick winners and losers or impose burdensome regulations do not allow businesses to thrive. While Utahns are concerned about the effects of climate change, we are also worried about the economy, access to good jobs and inflation. Romney is saying we don’t have to choose one or the other. A decline in emissions does not have to cause a decline in economic prosperity. Market-based solutions prioritize both.
