Bikechess’s Recent Comments

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  Market distortion

  In my opinion, it is wiser to rebate C&T dividends (or a carbon tax) to taxpayers.  Here are some reasons:
  

  • Increases in energy prices are regressive.  But, if you return the money  to taxpayers in a way where everyone gets the same rebate, it becomes progressive.
    
  • We want to decouple government spending from auction or tax revenue.  This way, we can adjust the carbon price or cap in order to achieve the desired emissions goals without worrying how it will affect the ability to fund government programs.
    
  • The government will be worse than market forces at choosing the cheapest way to reduce emissions.  If the government chooses which technologies (or even energy sector) benefits directly from auction or tax revenue, then we are picking winners.  As well as coupling the revenue to a particular program (see second point above).

  -ChazOn More perspectives on tax/auction revenue allocation posted 8 months, 1 week ago 3 Responses

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  There should be inequities

  For example, I live in northern California, where we have a mild climate and little coal power, and I don't need to drive much, so I might see my net income rise by maybe a couple thousand dollars. That would be nice, but folks back east who are paying more wouldn't like it one bit.
  

  
  It may be "unfair," but living in a non-temperate climate means a bigger carbon footprint.  A direct price on carbon would signal this loud and clear - and it should...

  And vehicle owners DO think about gas prices.  I think the summer's shift in purchasing patterns is evidence...On Some perspective on tax-and-dividend and a better alternative posted 8 months, 1 week ago 26 Responses

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  its $15B a year...

  For what its worth, the budget includes $15B PER YEAR for new technologies...On Obama's first budget includes green spending and anticipated revenues from a climate plan posted 8 months, 1 week ago 13 Responses

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  You must admit he inspires people,

  Not sure why its irrelevant that Obama won a red state.  Obama could actually unite the country and win in a landslide.  This would provide the mandate that environmentalists dream about...On South Carolina primary posted 1 year, 9 months ago 13 Responses

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  C taxes : progressive or regressive?

  Raw Carbon taxes are regressive - while the rich use more energy (and pollute more...), the poor would have a harder time reducing the percentage of their costs that go to energy.

  That said, what the government actually does with the money matters greatly.  What if the government kept no money for "itself" but instead gave every taxpayer back an equal Carbon return.  Then the poor would actually make money off the system - but still have the incentive to reduce their emissions.

  http://www.FairPriceEnergy.com for more...On Dingell floats it; Boucher knocks it down posted 2 years, 4 months ago 10 Responses