Summary

• Carbon pricing, in the form of bipartisan federal carbon fee and dividend law, is the best climate solution for your wine business, people, and the planet.

• Climate scientists agree we need big climate action from this Congress. Policy and politics experts agree it very likely is our last chance to get it enacted into law before climate and economic chaos become unstoppable.

• Your voice is needed to move this Congress to action, by signing the Wine Industry’s Climate Declaration and by lobbying (calling and writing, tweeting and meeting) your members of Congress.

Letter from Winemakers and BCL

We appreciate this opportunity to tell you more about what we and 125 other winemakers across the country consider a very timely and important action they can take on climate. We all have signed the Wine Industry’s Climate Declaration, asking Congress to enact “a fair and effective bipartisan, national carbon pricing policy, such as the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act.”

Congress is right now crafting comprehensive climate legislation. For the next few months, Americans have what may be our last chance for a law that will help reduce America’s carbon pollution quickly -- 50% by 2030 and to net-zero emissions by 2050 -- and will be good for the wine industry and the economy. In our opinion, that bill must include a bipartisan price on carbon.

ACTION:

• Sign the Wine Industry’s Climate Declaration

• Read Napa County winemaker Beth Milliken’s May 23rd guest editorial in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat: “Putting a price on carbon is a pro-business approach to curbing carbon emissions.”

• Read a two-page summary of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, its supporters, its economic impact on the wine industry, and what winemakers can do to help get it passed. “The Energy Innovation Act Adds only an estimated $.02/bottle increase in year one, which increases to $.11/bottle in year ten, assuming you do nothing to reduce your carbon footprint.”

• Call, write, or meet with your members of Congress. Your local Citizens’ Climate Lobby Chapter can help you with this. To connect with them, email Bruce Hagen (bruceh@businessclimateleaders.org).

We face many challenges now, but with your help, 2021 can go down in history as a good year for wine.

With appreciation,

Beth Milliken, Spottswoode Vineyards, Napa Valley

Jay Raffaldini, Raffaldini Vineyards, North Carolina

Julien Gervreau, International Wineries for Climate Action

Paul Shakeshaft, Veedercrest Vineyards, Napa Valley

Bruce Hagen, Business Climate Leaders

For inquiries, write to info@businessclimateleaders.org. Copyrig