Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) on Wednesday said he proposed a tax hike on travel by private plane to help curb emissions of greenhouse gasses.
“Billionaires and the ultra-wealthy are getting a bargain, paying less in taxes each year to fly private and contribute more pollution than millions of drivers combined on the roads below,” Markey said in a statement. “It’s time to ground these fat cats and make them pay their fair share.”
The Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax (FATCAT) Act would raise fuel taxes on private-jet travel from the current $0.22 a gallon to $1.95 a gallon. Proceeds from the levy would go toward an environmental trust fund.
Markey said private jets emit at least 10 times as much as commercial airline planes per passenger, citing a study from the progressive Institute for Policy Studies.
The lawmaker was joined by Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) in introducing the bill. Cosponsors include Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
More about aviation
Sen. Markey seeks higher taxes on private-jet travel
- Advertisment - 