Comments on: Capitol Hill Briefing on Carbon Taxes Draws Overflow Crowd

By: Mat

Mat — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:03:00 +0000

I am quite impressed to see how fast the debate has grown in America lately. As a Frenchman I am expecting a lot from the new American administration, as much as I expected from Sarkozy’s promises to fight for a carbon tax in the EU. Even though many here in France believe nothing can be done without the USA – which is quite right, I which we would talk much more about carbon-pricing, in open actions as the ones the CTC has set up till now in the US. And we need your support!

By: Glenn Page

Glenn Page — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:46:17 +0000

An informed politician that enter politics for the benefit of others and the country will support the carbon tax because it is fair and efficient. A politician entering politics for his/her own benefit is more likely to support cap and trade as it is a way to reward friends and pick winners. I would be most surprised and disappointed if the Obama administration does not chose the carbon tax.

By: David Ocampo G

David Ocampo G — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:56:23 +0000

I am delighted that the event took place. I am less than delighted with the tiny squeaks of silence the media have reported it with. One big source for concern is how the new administration is taking shape. Climate Czarina-in-Waiting Carol Browner has been sitting profitably on the board of APX, which makes money brokering climate indulgences, so there is no way she could be expected to look favorably upon the Carbon Tax. Really disturbing. One of the many beauties of the Carbon Tax is that it eliminates any need for such brokering. We can expect that not only will Ms Browner not be inclined to look favorably on a policy that would snatch the pen from the hand that signs checks for APX, but one and a half skillion other brokers will come a-running to her, and they have had access to her open ears for a Bushful of years. (It just now occurred to me that the Spanish word for "broker" is "corredor" which literally means "runner" — that they will be; indeed, they most likely already are.)

By: Wyatt

Wyatt — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:20:28 +0000

What an amazing event. It was very heartening to see so many articulate supporters of a carbon tax shift. I hope they find many powerful ears that will listen to them as the climate change policy debate heats up. I think people should understand very clearly that with a cap and trade system that there is an explcit tradeoff between unlimited price volatilty and guarenteed GHG reductions. There cannot be both, as a safety valve is maintained by issuing as many emissions permits as it takes to reduce the price below the ceiling. That is not a guarentee of emissions reductions, it is a more expensive and inefficient version of a tax. The alternative is to extend financial and price volatily across every economic sector that uses energy.

By: Vane Lashua

Vane Lashua — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 03:57:50 +0000

Dan Rosenblum’s presentation for the Climate Crisis Coalition / GCC program in Beacon on Saturday was a powerful primer on this critical issue and the importance of making the case for Carbon Tax legislation … and he enlisted a new group of advocates. The hearing was obviously a successful step toward educating the Congress and our new administration in the urgency of getting legislation on the books.

By: David Collins

David Collins — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:25:25 +0000

Very impressive. My thanks to everybody involved in putting this on.

I have one quibble. Rep. John Larson (D-CT) is quoted saying, "What I have proposed is legislation that would tax bad behavior like polluting and return that money to average Americans through a payroll tax rebate." This comment misses one of the big advantages of the Carbon Tax: if set high enough, it removes the "sin" from burning CO2-producing fuels. The rich and the foolish pay the taxes and boost the disposable income for the poor and the prudent. More to the point, many CO2-producing activities are not necessarily "bad behavior". The actions of Good King Wenceslas, as celebrated in the famous carol (one of the many we try to shut our ears to while shopping in Temples of Mammon this time of year) come to mind.

Again, many thanks to all involved for producing this event.