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Though with carbon fuels there's an extra layer of trying to avert global catastrophe where some of those affects are good. I would love if we could use this c

Though with carbon fuels there's an extra layer of trying to avert global catastrophe where some of those affects are good. I would love if we could use this crisis to get investment in renewables and EVs/batteries. I could see Congress passing an emergency subsidy before the election if gas stays above $4 especially if it rises above $5. I would hope we can spend an equal amount or more for longer term 'green' investment, regardless of what happens. IMHO we do need those high prices to discourage driving. It is after all probably closer to the true cost with externalities of global warming. Could spur more investment in renewables too if done right. BUT would need to help lower earners during transition or will just get pummeled in the election and Republicans will do the opposite of what's needed on climate. I personally think most equitable solution would probably be raise corporate rate back up a bit + on very high earners/get rid of some wealthy deductions. Then do something akin to the child tax credit mailed out each month for maybe <50k households. An energy credit. Scale up slightly if have a bunch of kids.

evandijk70 5y ago
Are you taking $5/gallon? That is still way lower than the prices in Europe have been for years. Society still functions here and has not transitioned to green alternatives. Anything below $10/gallon is not an 'emergency' and insufficiently high to force a transition if people do not want it.
- berdario 5y ago
  Prices in Italy are currently at the equivalent of 8.3$/gallon, so I think that even your 10$/gallon threshold is too optimistic (keep also in mind that if the prices of everything rise together, and so does labor compensation, it might be hidden away in the inflation). Maybe 20$/gallon would be what it takes for a quick transition?
  - londons_explore 5y ago
    The transition point in the USA is probably lower because we drive more miles and have an existing fleet of less efficient, older, larger cars.
- dillondoyle 5y ago
  Yeah I think symbolically that would have good chance of triggering political action before the election. And yes it's not even that high relatively! I would love to see an analysis taking into account cost of global warming just that we are already feeling. I read an article earlier today analyzing cost per mile driven in real dollars. We're actually a good amount lower than 2007 recession. And way lower than 80s. But people don't see that. They see $5 and $80 to fill up a giant pickup truck. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-price-of-gasoline-isnt-really-at-a-record-high-in-fact-the-inflation-adjusted-cost-of-driving-a-mile-was-higher-for-most-of-the-past-century-11646770318 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-price-of-gasoline-isnt...
  - tekknik 5y ago
    > Yeah I think symbolically that would have good chance of triggering political action before the election. Ah there we go, you’re trying for “progress” despite the economy limping along right now. Kick them while they’re down ey?
tekknik 5y ago
> I would love if we could use this crisis to get investment in renewables and EVs/batteries. > IMHO we do need those high prices to discourage driving. It is after all probably closer to the true cost with externalities of global warming. Could spur more investment in renewables too if done right. And you believe the right time to do this is when we have record inflation? Also gas is hitting $6+ a gallon where I’m at.

evandijk70 5y ago

Are you taking $5/gallon? That is still way lower than the prices in Europe have been for years. Society still functions here and has not transitioned to green alternatives. Anything below $10/gallon is not an 'emergency' and insufficiently high to force a transition if people do not want it.

berdario 5y ago
Prices in Italy are currently at the equivalent of 8.3$/gallon, so I think that even your 10$/gallon threshold is too optimistic (keep also in mind that if the prices of everything rise together, and so does labor compensation, it might be hidden away in the inflation). Maybe 20$/gallon would be what it takes for a quick transition?
- londons_explore 5y ago
  The transition point in the USA is probably lower because we drive more miles and have an existing fleet of less efficient, older, larger cars.
dillondoyle 5y ago
Yeah I think symbolically that would have good chance of triggering political action before the election. And yes it's not even that high relatively! I would love to see an analysis taking into account cost of global warming just that we are already feeling. I read an article earlier today analyzing cost per mile driven in real dollars. We're actually a good amount lower than 2007 recession. And way lower than 80s. But people don't see that. They see $5 and $80 to fill up a giant pickup truck. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-price-of-gasoline-isnt-really-at-a-record-high-in-fact-the-inflation-adjusted-cost-of-driving-a-mile-was-higher-for-most-of-the-past-century-11646770318 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-price-of-gasoline-isnt...
- tekknik 5y ago
  > Yeah I think symbolically that would have good chance of triggering political action before the election. Ah there we go, you’re trying for “progress” despite the economy limping along right now. Kick them while they’re down ey?

tekknik 5y ago

> I would love if we could use this crisis to get investment in renewables and EVs/batteries. > IMHO we do need those high prices to discourage driving. It is after all probably closer to the true cost with externalities of global warming. Could spur more investment in renewables too if done right. And you believe the right time to do this is when we have record inflation? Also gas is hitting $6+ a gallon where I’m at.