Earl Withycombe’s Recent Comments

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  Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions will require contributions from both industry and individuals.  Cap-and-trade is intended to target industry, and carbon tax is intended to influence personal behavior.  Why not include both in any federal legislation, start with low goals to secure sufficient votes, and then ramp up requirements as needed to achieve evolving goals or offset loophole loss?  If carbon tax receipts are redistributed to citizens on a flat basis (like the Alaska oil tax distribution), personal behavioral change would be significantly accelerated.  Returns on the auction of trading credits could be used to fund the infrastructure needed to increase system efficiency (smart grids, transit, etc.).

  On Cap-and-trade vs. carbon tax: a bird in hand is worth two on Alpha Centauri posted 6 months, 3 weeks ago 8 Responses