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Instead of subsidizing green power, I think it would make more sense that producers of non-green power would pay for the real cost of their power, including the

by xavi 11y ago

Instead of subsidizing green power, I think it would make more sense that producers of non-green power would pay for the real cost of their power, including the environmental cost, through a carbon tax for example (also suggested by others, https://twitter.com/paultoo/status/672568359033040896 https://twitter.com/paultoo/status/672568359033040896). Because, it's not that we have to do a favor to green producers, but we should make non-green producers pay for the possibly irreversible damage to our planet, and so to us. Ideally we shouldn't allow it, but if we do, let's punish it.

polartx 11y ago
The state already taxes electricity consumption, the same way you pay state taxes per your rate of gasoline consumption. People that drive 'green' cars are inherently rewarded with paying few taxes at the pump, because they are buying less fuel. Though they may be using the roads and travel infrastructure (which are partially funded by gas taxes) as much as 'non-green' drivers..is this fair for all? Not really, but imagine the fallout of charging Prius drivers more per gallon in order to increase their contribution to the infrastructure that they're using. In many places, people using solar energy ARE charged more per kilowatt, for the exact scenario above--Increase their contribution to the infrastructure they're using--which is the opposite of what you proposed. In your proposal to punish the folks that haven't jumped on the solar power band wagon--who receives the benefit$ of their 'punishments'?
- JoshTriplett 11y ago
  > Not really, but imagine the fallout of charging Prius drivers more per gallon in order to increase their contribution to the infrastructure that they're using. More than one jurisdiction has actually attempted a hybrid/electric surcharge with that exact purported justification: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/nc-lawmakers-propose-50-100-fees-green-car/story?id=19291271 http://abcnews.go.com/Business/nc-lawmakers-propose-50-100-f...
- xavi 11y ago
  To fund roads use tolls. That's fair for all. The money collected from the punishments can be used wherever is needed. Maybe to partially fund the roads, thus benefiting users of roads with lower tolls. Maybe to support free health and education, thus benefiting everyone.

by xavi 11y ago

polartx 11y ago

The state already taxes electricity consumption, the same way you pay state taxes per your rate of gasoline consumption. People that drive 'green' cars are inherently rewarded with paying few taxes at the pump, because they are buying less fuel. Though they may be using the roads and travel infrastructure (which are partially funded by gas taxes) as much as 'non-green' drivers..is this fair for all? Not really, but imagine the fallout of charging Prius drivers more per gallon in order to increase their contribution to the infrastructure that they're using. In many places, people using solar energy ARE charged more per kilowatt, for the exact scenario above--Increase their contribution to the infrastructure they're using--which is the opposite of what you proposed. In your proposal to punish the folks that haven't jumped on the solar power band wagon--who receives the benefit$ of their 'punishments'?

JoshTriplett 11y ago
> Not really, but imagine the fallout of charging Prius drivers more per gallon in order to increase their contribution to the infrastructure that they're using. More than one jurisdiction has actually attempted a hybrid/electric surcharge with that exact purported justification: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/nc-lawmakers-propose-50-100-fees-green-car/story?id=19291271 http://abcnews.go.com/Business/nc-lawmakers-propose-50-100-f...
xavi 11y ago
To fund roads use tolls. That's fair for all. The money collected from the punishments can be used wherever is needed. Maybe to partially fund the roads, thus benefiting users of roads with lower tolls. Maybe to support free health and education, thus benefiting everyone.