Some US Industries Say Carbon Tax Is The Way To Go

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[chessplayer]

"In Climate Controversy, Industry Cedes Ground"

[xcamel]

"some ???"

[Rakkasan1]

"some busineses":those willing to be extorted to be left alone from futher regulation/extortion.

[xcamel]

egg-zactly!

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

A carbon tax would probably be the "least-worst" policy to reduce so-called greenhouse gases.

It would allow for much more flexibility than any regulatory, or subsidy programs. (The least-worst way to pay for CO2 reduction subsidy programs would be from a carbon tax; rather than from, say, income taxes.)

Mainly, it would drive home the costs of reducing CO2 output. People think that governments can wave a magic wand and produce the "benefits" without any costs -- it's all a matter of being a "believer" and not a "denier". When people feel the effect in their pocketbooks; they might start challenging the sensationalized claims the GW warmists make.

[milwguy]

Those who favor a cap are the like of GE which does 10 BILLION in wind turbine and alternatative energy business, and also power companies who have a heavy part of their electricity being generated by nuclear, hydroelectric, natural gas and other less carbon intensive methods. They see a huge competitive advantage by requiring those companies relying on coal to clean up or pay carbon taxes. This is a sham, just like the ethanol/ADM cabal is foisting on us.

[RightWhale]

Carbon futures is a fine way to game the system coming and going.

[ClaireSolt]

The purpose of government is to secure our rights, not to inflict pain on the populace.

[kenth]

... and betting they can outbuy their opposition in terms of carbon credits. With democrats officially in control of congress, they're just gearing up for the near future.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

You're both right. I used the term "least-worst" deliberately. The "worst" thing is to panic over GW, and cripple our economies -- with all the social upheaval that would entail. Given that a "tipping-point" seems to have been reached; whereby no politician can be seen to be opposed to "doing something" about the "problem" -- one of the least worst thing would be a carbon tax.

Moderately-worst "solutions" include things like mandatory fuel efficiencies for auto manufacturers (less flexible than a carbon tax). Sending billions to China and Russia for "carbon credits" (the only good thing being that this is one of the cheapest ways to achieve Kyoto targets).

Some of the most-worst "solutions" that are being bandied about (or tried out) include: strict rationing; forced closure of coal-fired power plants; and, draconian population-reduction programs.