Koch backs House measure opposing carbon taxes

Koch Industries on Monday offered support for a House resolution that would oppose any carbon tax.

In a letter to House lawmakers supporting the measure, Koch takes a clear stance that Congress should denounce potential taxes on carbon dioxide emissions.

The company’s president of government and public affairs, Philip Ellender, urges support for the GOP-backed resolution that would make clear that “a carbon tax would be detrimental to the American economy.”

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“Rather than imposing a carbon tax that would ultimately hurt the very people it is trying to protect, it is important that the government allow energy innovation to progress in line with market demand,” Ellender wrote. “At a time when more American families are feeling the benefits of tax reform and a strong, pro-growth economic agenda championed by Congress and the administration, it is important to keep the momentum at full speed.”

The House is set to vote this week on the measure that would condemn the idea of a carbon tax. The legislation would ultimately be nonbinding.

The resolution was introduced by House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.) in April, and would say that a tax on carbon dioxide emissions “would be detrimental to American families and businesses, and is not in the best interest of the United States.”

“A carbon tax would make energy more expensive and raise the costs of consumer products and services on which people depend,” Ellender said in his letter. “It would also make U.S. producers less cost competitive, driving production and jobs to other parts of the world.”

Carbon taxes have long been supported by many Democrats and environmentalists as a way to discourage the use of fuels that contribute to climate change, and some conservative economists have also backed the idea.

Backers of Baker’s policy started pushing the idea last year. Under their proposal, the money collected from carbon taxes would be returned to the economy through tax breaks or other methods.

Some conservative scholars also support a carbon tax as do major oil companies like Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell.