Support FATCAT Act - Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax

Washington (July 19, 2023) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) today announced the introduction of the Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax (FATCAT) Act, legislation that would increase fuel taxes for private jet travel from the current $0.22 to $1.95 per gallon—the equivalent of an estimated $200 per metric ton of a private jet's CO2 emissions—and remove existing fuel tax exemptions for logging and oil or gas exploration. Tax revenue generated by the FATCAT Act would be transferred to the Airport & Airway Trust Fund and a newly created federal Clean Communities Trust Fund to support air monitoring for environmental justice communities and long-term investments in clean, affordable public transportation across the country—including passenger rail and bus routes near commercial airports.

Private air travel is the most energy-intense form of travel. Per passenger, private jets pollute up to 14 times more than commercial flights and 50 times more than trains, producing as much emissions as millions of cars every year in the United States. Despite their sky-high emissions per passenger, private air travel is taxed considerably less than commercial air travel."

Make polluters pay! Tell Congress: Support the FATCAT Act Now

The ultra-wealthy flying in private jets are producing 14 times more CO2 emissions per passenger mile than commercial flight travelers, and 50 times more than trains, emitting as much as millions of private automobiles. Yet private jet travelers are taxed considerably less than commercial air travelers, currently paying only 22 cents per gallon in jet fuel taxes.

Now, Senator Ed Markey and Rep. Nydia Velázquez have introduced the FATCAT Act, (Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax), which will increase the jet fuel tax to $1.95 per gallon, and eliminate exemptions for logging and oil exploration. The new revenues will go toward air quality monitoring and investments in clean, affordable public transit.

Billionaires traveling on private jets should not be paying less in taxes than those flying commercial -- especially when those taxes will support critical investments in public transit in the fight against climate change!

In just one hour, a single private jet can emit two metric tons of carbon dioxide, making this an important step forward in holding the ultra-rich accountable for their climate damage, while also disincentivizing the behavior at the same time.

The fact is private jets pay just a tiny percentage of their costs for air traffic control. Although they make up about 16% of the flights handled by the system, private jet taxes contribute only about 2% of the system's funding.

Meanwhile, in topsy-turvy fashion, despite paying far less in aviation taxes, private jet travelers are among the richest people in U.S. society. The median net worth among private jet owners is $190 million, and the vast majority are male, over 50, with careers in banking, finance, and real estate.

Let's be clear: these billionaires have a huge impact on our climate. According to a report by the Institute for Policy Studies and Patriotic Millionaires, the wealthiest 1% of air travelers are responsible for about 50% of all passenger flight carbon emissions.

Private jet users should pay for the environmental damage caused by their extravagant choices. Revenues from this legislation will be transferred to the Airport & Airway Trust Fund and the Clean Communities Trust Fund to expand environmentally sound transportation alternatives, including passenger rail and bus routes near commercial airports.

"The 1 percent can't free ride on our environment and our infrastructure at a discount. It's time to ground these fat cats and make them pay their fair share so that we can invest in building public transportation that communities across the country and our economy desperately need." - Senator Ed Markey

"Working families shouldn't subsidize the ultra-wealthy to fly private and destroy our environment. It's time for the rich to pay for their pollution so we can fund environmental justice initiatives and affordable public transportation across the country." - Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez

Vice-Chair of Patriotic Millionaires, Stephen Price, agrees, saying he recently decided to sell his private jet due to the environmental damages.

"I highly doubt that other wealthy jet owners will follow my example. But if my wealthy peers are going to willfully destroy the planet, the least they can do is pay for it."

It's time to make polluters pay, and direct the income toward transportation alternatives that are good for the planet. Follow this link and click 'START WRITING' to sign and send your letters to Congress now!