About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

LOG IN
LOG IN


1 [1] (July 17, 2018)

handle is hein.crs/crsmthzzaxq0001 and id is 1 raw text is: CRS INSIGHT Attaching a Price to Greenhouse Gas Emissions with a Carbon Tax or Emissions Fee July 17, 2018 (IN10930) Related Authors Jonathan L, Ramseur Jane A. Leaaett Jonathan L. Ramseur, Specialist in Environmental Policy (jramseurcrs c. gov, 7-7919) Jane A. Leggett, Specialist in Energy and Environmental Policy (a eggett(rs bc ,ov, 7-9525) Significant debate continues about what, if any, policy initiatives may be appropriate or feasible to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Major scientific aastntns in the United States and internationally conclude that it is extremely likely that human activities, especially emissions of greenhouse gases, are the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. Human-related GHG emissions, if continued, would tend to drive further warming, sea level rise, ocean acidification, and other impacts. Small future climate changes may bring benefits for some and adverse effects to others. Large climate changes would be increasingly adverse for a widening scope of populations and ecosystems. Many nations and subnational governments (including U.S. state and local governments) have begun to address the risks of GHG-induced climate change by enacting GHG emission abatement programs. In the United States, combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) released 76% of U.S. GHG emissions in 2016. Over 99% of the combustion emissions are carbon dioxide (CO2), the principal human-related GHG. Congressional interest in legislation that would establish a market-based approach (e.g., cap-and-trade or carbon price proposals) to address GHG emissions has fluctuated over the last decade. In the 115th Congress, Members have introduced at least eight bills that would attach a price to GHG emissions. The Supreme Curl ruled in 2007 that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate GHG as pollutants. Pursuant to that authority, EPA issued regulations addressing GHG emissions from power plants and mobile sources. A number of U.S. states have taken action that establishes a price on GHG emissions. The most advanced actions have come from the Reional Grenh G Initiaive (RGGI) -a coalition of nine states from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions-and California. RGGI is a cap-and-trade system that took effect in 2009 that applies to CO2 emissions from electric power plants. In 2013, CaLifornia established an economy- wide cap-and-trade program that covers approximately 85% of California's GHG emissions.