05.07.2009

Carbon tax is viewed as an alternative to the cap-and-trade system. One of the reasons is that cap-and-trade system involving plant-by plant-measurements is difficult to administer and can provide incentives for evasion. Under a cap-and-trade system, the government would set an overall limit on emissions and allocate permits to emitters. If one plant reduces its emissions more quickly than another, it can sell its credits to the other emitter. A carbon tax would simply increase the cost of emitting each ton of carbon, which could then be passed on to consumers. A carbon tax offers certainty about the price of polluting, which appeals to many economists and businesses.

Gina Cohen
Natural Gas Expert
Phone:
972-54-4203480
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