Carbon Share
Posted by
Eric de Place
08/13/2008 12:55 PM
A new spin on cap and dividend.
Here's an intriguing idea from California: Carbon Share. It's basically a version of Cap and Dividend (aka Skytrust) but with a twist. Instead of auctioning carbon allowances to polluters and then returning the proceeds to citizens, Carbon Share just distributes the allowances directly to citizens. Individuals can then cash in the allowances at banks or brokerages -- and the financial houses would put the permits into circulation for polluters to purchase.
I worry a bit about creating too much uncertainty for the regulated businesses. Still, it's an intriguing idea, in part because it essentially cuts out the government's role in handling the money. It's worth checking out.
