Tinker71
Well-known member
- First Name
- Ray
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2020
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- Utah
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- #1
Instead of government choosing technology in order to drive down CO2 we need to let the free market drive innovation. That being said a voluntary carbon reduction on a state by state or individual basis will be slow. What we need is a rigid carbon tax that grows every year. $.01 per pound of CO2 would be a good starting place. That would be $.20 per gallon of gas. Applied throughout the value chain including grid electricity that might be $750 for an average family. Then we would need to raise that tax by 25% a year for 10 years and p
phase out all other incentives ASAP.
To avoid massive government growth we would somehow get congress to agree to freeze tax revenue to 24% of GDP (Current) or some other metric. So when carbon taxes pour in at the beginning taxes are cut elsewhere . Yeah I know this would be difficult for congress, they might have to actually do some work. We might have to help some poor people as well since this tax would hit them disproportionately.
This has the following benefits:
1.) Very small government approach....might get some libertarian conservatives on board.
2.) This wouldn't immediately bankrupt anybody, but everybody will be thinking and investing 2-5 years down the road because nobody likes paying taxes or more than their share of taxes.
3.) Will spur immediate investment but will allow industry to ramp up at a controlled rate to avoid inflation and supply constraints.
4.) Some guy that bought a $70k truck won't be immediately hosed.
5.) We don't have to ban anything..... you could still drive your big ICE truck if you wanted to or could afford to. They could still make them for that matter.
6.) Would have time to get some cradle to grave legislation for all new energy tech. (batteries/windmill blades etc. )
7.) Will stop stupid subsidies like wind in the wrong place.
8.) Massive investment in efficient buildings
9.) Time to rebuild our grid.
10.) Energy cost will be more predictable.
11.) Good for the economy. It is almost like planned obsolescence.
With the right escalation rate we could reduce carbon emissions by 90% in 10 years. More than any plan out there. The free market is amazing.
phase out all other incentives ASAP.
To avoid massive government growth we would somehow get congress to agree to freeze tax revenue to 24% of GDP (Current) or some other metric. So when carbon taxes pour in at the beginning taxes are cut elsewhere . Yeah I know this would be difficult for congress, they might have to actually do some work. We might have to help some poor people as well since this tax would hit them disproportionately.
This has the following benefits:
1.) Very small government approach....might get some libertarian conservatives on board.
2.) This wouldn't immediately bankrupt anybody, but everybody will be thinking and investing 2-5 years down the road because nobody likes paying taxes or more than their share of taxes.
3.) Will spur immediate investment but will allow industry to ramp up at a controlled rate to avoid inflation and supply constraints.
4.) Some guy that bought a $70k truck won't be immediately hosed.
5.) We don't have to ban anything..... you could still drive your big ICE truck if you wanted to or could afford to. They could still make them for that matter.
6.) Would have time to get some cradle to grave legislation for all new energy tech. (batteries/windmill blades etc. )
7.) Will stop stupid subsidies like wind in the wrong place.
8.) Massive investment in efficient buildings
9.) Time to rebuild our grid.
10.) Energy cost will be more predictable.
11.) Good for the economy. It is almost like planned obsolescence.
With the right escalation rate we could reduce carbon emissions by 90% in 10 years. More than any plan out there. The free market is amazing.
