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Pitch

Pricing carbon is a Republican idea. Democrats and environmentalists need to abandon their support, to give the GOP space to reclaim it.


Description

Summary

The most effective policy innovations have occurred when progressive goals have been implemented through conservative means - this is essentially happened with the initial development of cap and trade.  

Republicans agreed that pollution is bad but were opposed to heavy-handed regulation. The end result was that both sides could claim a victory on goals and Republicans could claim victory on developing the sensible approach.

Unfortunately, Democrats moved to the center on their preferred approach, meaning that pollution pricing is now a straight-up win for them and a straight-up loss for Republicans, especially as the party is currently constituted.

Democrats and environmentalists need to go back to being more Stalinist on this to allow space for Republicans to move to the center.  The roadblocks are in the halls of Congress not with the American people.  There is widespread support for action on this already - we need to create the political opening for it to happen through Brer Rabbit's strategy .  


Category of the action

Mitigation - Helping U.S. enact carbon price legislation


What actions do you propose?

 

 

 

 


Who will take these actions?


Where will these actions be taken?


How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?


What are other key benefits?


What are the proposal’s costs?


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Related proposals


References