Comments on: Pay Carbon Costs Now to Save Later http://www.carbontax.org/blogarchives/2007/07/09/pay-carbon-costs-now-to-save-later/ Pricing carbon efficiently and equitably Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:07:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Dan http://www.carbontax.org/blogarchives/2007/07/09/pay-carbon-costs-now-to-save-later/comment-page-1/#comment-5730 Dan Sun, 15 Jul 2007 15:23:40 +0000 http://www.carbontax.org/newsite/blogarchives/2007/07/09/pay-carbon-costs-now-to-save-later/#comment-5730 A national carbon tax would be preferable to state or local taxes, for the obvious reason that it would have a far greater impact. In addition, a national tax would avoid "leakage" as energy users attempt to avoid the tax by moving production or energy purchases outside of the states imposing the tax. For the same reason an international taxing system would be preferable to a national tax, although border tax adjustments can be utilized to minimize or eliminate the "leakage" problem across national borders. Until a national carbon tax is implemented, state-level taxes would provide an excellent model for Congress to replicate. The carbon tax will provide a powerful economic signal encouraging drivers to leave their car at home (or to not own a car) and to take public transit. "Free public transit" is beyond the scope of the Carbon Tax Center's mission. It would certainly provide tremendous environmental benefits, but we have not attempted to analyze the economics. A national carbon tax would be preferable to state or local taxes, for the obvious reason that it would have a far greater impact. In addition, a national tax would avoid “leakage” as energy users attempt to avoid the tax by moving production or energy purchases outside of the states imposing the tax. For the same reason an international taxing system would be preferable to a national tax, although border tax adjustments can be utilized to minimize or eliminate the “leakage” problem across national borders. Until a national carbon tax is implemented, state-level taxes would provide an excellent model for Congress to replicate.

The carbon tax will provide a powerful economic signal encouraging drivers to leave their car at home (or to not own a car) and to take public transit. “Free public transit” is beyond the scope of the Carbon Tax Center’s mission. It would certainly provide tremendous environmental benefits, but we have not attempted to analyze the economics.

]]> By: Michael D. Setty http://www.carbontax.org/blogarchives/2007/07/09/pay-carbon-costs-now-to-save-later/comment-page-1/#comment-5729 Michael D. Setty Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:09:05 +0000 http://www.carbontax.org/newsite/blogarchives/2007/07/09/pay-carbon-costs-now-to-save-later/#comment-5729 Here's an objective story on the topic of "free transit."See http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/322858_freebus07.html?source=mypi Here’s an objective story on the topic of "free transit."See http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/transportation/322858_freebus07.html?source=mypi

]]> By: Michael D. Setty http://www.carbontax.org/blogarchives/2007/07/09/pay-carbon-costs-now-to-save-later/comment-page-1/#comment-5728 Michael D. Setty Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:21:24 +0000 http://www.carbontax.org/newsite/blogarchives/2007/07/09/pay-carbon-costs-now-to-save-later/#comment-5728 And save local taxpayers money by eliminating the need for homeless shelters, assuming the transit system runs overnight. And save local taxpayers money by eliminating the need for homeless shelters, assuming the transit system runs overnight.

]]> By: socialscientist http://www.carbontax.org/blogarchives/2007/07/09/pay-carbon-costs-now-to-save-later/comment-page-1/#comment-5727 socialscientist Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:30:13 +0000 http://www.carbontax.org/newsite/blogarchives/2007/07/09/pay-carbon-costs-now-to-save-later/#comment-5727 A carbon tax must be at least national. In the interim, a local government can implement free public transit right now and reap immediate carbon and economic advantage. A carbon tax must be at least national. In the interim, a local government can implement free public transit right now and reap immediate carbon and economic advantage.

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