Humphrey Institute News on-the-go

Humphrey Institute MPP student Brian Peterson writes about climate change mitigation using a cap and trade system in this commentary.

Cap and trade systems are appealing for two main reasons. First, unlike traditional regulatory schemes, they are market-based. Cap and trade systems allow economic forces to dictate where emissions cuts will occur, rather than relying on government mandates. The U.S. has had a cap and trade system to deal with acid rain-causing pollutants since the 1980s, and has achieved deep reductions at far lower costs than had been anticipated. Second, cap and trade is more palatable politically than a direct carbon tax, which would have roughly the same effect.

MinnPost.com
March 17, 2008