Cap and Dividend

What is Cap & Dividend?

Cap and dividend is a simple, fair, and built-to-last policy solution to reduce the carbon and other heat-trapping emissions now harming our climate while boosting the income of most American families. It caps fossil fuels, requires energy companies to purchase pollution permits at auction, and returns all the auction revenue in equal amounts to every US resident with a valid Social Security number.

How Does it Work

Set a Cap on the Fossil Fuel Pollution Harming Our Planet

By setting a steadily declining cap on the total amount of U.S. carbon pollution that can be released into the atmosphere, we will join efforts worldwide to reduce heat-trapping emissions in enough time to prevent catastrophic global warming impacts.

Make the Polluters—Coal, Oil and Gas Companies—Pay

Any company that extracts new fossil fuels from the ground or imports them into the U.S. must buy a permit at a government-organized auction for every ton of CO2 those fossil fuels will emit into the atmosphere. In this way, companies that bring new fossil fuels into the economy are held responsible for the pollution they trigger.

Rebate 100% of the Money Raised to U.S. Residents

All of the money raised will be returned in equal amounts—through a quarterly “dividend”—to every U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number.

We Achieve a Healthy Climate and Greater Economic Security for Families

By putting a price on the fossil fuels responsible for harming the planet, we will help unleash the clean energy solutions needed to save it. Our families benefit from a healthier environment, and the quarterly rebate ensures the great majority of American families are better off in the process.

The Healthy Climate and Family Security Act of 2019

116th CONGRESS - 1st Session

The Healthy Climate and Family Security Act of 2019 is gaining support in the halls of Congress and from grassroots organizations across the country. The Senate bill is sponsored by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and the House bill is sponsored by Representative Don Beyer (D-VA), with 20 co-sponsors. Read the full text of the bill here.

Read the full text of the bill here

The Bill

The Healthy Climate and Family Security Act of 2019 represents a simple, common sense, “cap and dividend” approach to addressing climate change that achieves aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reductions while supporting vibrant economic growth and a thriving middle class. Introduced by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) in the Senate and Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) in the House, the bill requires CO2 emissions reductions of 12.5% by 2020, 35% by 2025, 50% by 2030, 60% by 2035, and 80% by 2040 below 2005 levels. It caps fossil fuels, requires energy companies to purchase pollution permits at auction, and returns all the auction revenue in equal amounts to every U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number. By putting a price on carbon, the bill encourages energy conservation, energy efficiency and a shift to clean, renewable sources of energy. U.S. families will benefit both economically and environmentally from cleaner air and water and land, millions of jobs created in energy efficiency and renewable energy, and money in family bank accounts during the transition.

Read our fact sheet about the bill here

CCAN Statement: U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Don Beyer Introduce Carbon Cap-and-Dividend Legislation

March 28, 2019

Bill Caps Carbon While Helping Middle Class WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) introduced the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act of 2019. This ‘cap-and-dividend’ policy is a simple, fair, and effective way to address the dangers of climate change. The bill… continue reading »

Environmental and Consumer Groups Support the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act

March 28, 2019

Statement of Support for the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act of 2019 We are pleased to support the introduction of the Healthy Climate and Family Security Act of 2019 by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD.) in the Senate, and Representative Don Beyer (D-VA.) in the House. This bill… continue reading »

After Record 2017 Wildfires, Droughts, and Storms: US Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) Respond with a Bill to Cap Carbon and Rebate the Revenue to US Families

January 26, 2018

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) are introducing the “Healthy Climate and Family Security Act” in Congress on Monday. I wanted to invite you to join a conference call with the legislators to talk about the bill at 3:15 EST on Monday, January 29th. Speakers… continue reading »

Cap & Dividend

The simple & fair path to a healthy climate and prosperous families