If anyone ever bought the notion that a Vermont carbon tax would be “revenue neutral,” or, if passed as such, would stay that way for very long, this week’s Statehouse activities should put that fantasy to bed for good.
As lawmakers begin evaluating the pros and cons of carbon pricing methods in Vermont, the House Energy and Technology Committee appears to have invited testimony mostly from individuals and groups who support a carbon tax.
The researchers were asked directly, and admitted forthrightly, that they did not consider administrative costs when calculating the impact of the tax.
A much-anticipated report commissioned by the state of Vermont says putting a price on carbon could reduce CO2 emissions without hurting the economy or low-income residents.
Notice anything interesting about this lineup? These groups are the carbon tax spearhead in Vermont. They’ve worked furiously for four years to peddle the carbon tax, the ESSEX Plan, and numerous variations.
Here two takes on a carbon tax from two very different Vermonters. It’s hard to argue with either of these guys.
“Two employees of SunCommon, the VPIRG for-profit spin-off that feeds on renewable energy subsidies, plus the wife of the company’s president now serve in the Vermont House.”
Dozens of protesters wearing yellow vests showed up at the Statehouse on day-one of the 2019 legislative session to tell lawmakers that a carbon tax should not be on the agenda.
Vermont, with the second-smallest population, is the greenest state. Even if you accept the most dire claims of the climate alarmists, a carbon tax imposed on Vermont would not have any significant or even measurable impact on our climate. It would be symbolic.
None of the 10 ideas listed would seize money from Vermonters for redistribution. All are designed to create consumer choice, jobs and tax revenue and significantly reduce emissions.
The carbon tax hasn’t gained significant traction in the climate-conscious state of Vermont, but environmental activists have new approaches that could see progress in 2019.
As yellow-vested opponents of carbon taxation plan a Jan. 9 rally at the Statehouse, at least three different types of government carbon pricing are being considered.