Green 'stealth tax' to encourage wind farms and nuclear power will hit poor the hardestI can't tell if this is good news, or just the British version of Mort Sahl's parody NY Times headline.
A green 'stealth' tax to encourage new wind farms and nuclear power plants could push tens of thousands of households into fuel poverty but do nothing to reduce emissions.
The carbon floor price, announced in the March Budget, could even end up giving climate policies a 'bad name', the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has warned.
To be introduced in 2013, the tax is intended to encourage investment in low-carbon energy -- and raise billions for the Treasury.
Under the existing rules, energy companies must generate a fixed amount of green energy every year, or else buy permits to pollute on the open market.
The new tax kicks in if the cost of these permits falls too low. From 2013, the ‘floor price’ of a permit needed to emit a tonne of carbon will be set at £16, rising to £30 by 2020.
The higher cost of electricity will be passed on to household and business customers with energy-guzzling industries hit hardest.
But the IPPR, a centre-left think-tank, says that householders, many of whom are already struggling to pay their fuel bills, will also suffer. It estimates that 30,000 to 60,000 more households will be pushed into fuel poverty -- defined as spending more than 10 per cent of your disposable income on heat and light.
The think-tank also warned that the UK scheme could lead to lower carbon permit prices elsewhere in Europe -- and so do nothing to ease pollution.
Andrew Pendleton, IPPR associate director, said: 'The carbon price support scheme risks giving energy and climate change policy a bad name because it will do nothing to reduce carbon emissions while piling more cost on to the shoulders of already hard-pressed consumers in the UK.'
(via Global Warming Policy Foundation)
11 comments:
Welcome back.
Thanks.
Second that welcome.
As to the article, this new tax will benefit existing, operating nuclear power plants.
Who is the largest nuclear power plant operator?
Exelon, headquartered in Chicago, formerly lead by the father of Bill Ayers, that's who.
However, the Obama Administration has done nothing but put roadblocks in the way of NEW nuclear power plant construction, in spite of lip service in support.
from Roy:
As one of number of folks that I'd guess you only know via occassional post, wishing you well.
In re-reading the posting, I see that this proposal is in the UK and not the US.
Ergo, my complaint against Exelon is unfounded and I withdraw it.
However, my complaint against the Obama Administration about their behind the scenes roadblocks to new nukes stands.
Thanks Roy!
Indeed, Carl, WB. Glad to see there were no complications, per se.
Back on the track:
>> ...could even end up giving climate policies a 'bad name'
To which I say, "About F***ing TIME!"
>> Ergo, my complaint against Exelon is unfounded and I withdraw it.
Don't withdraw it too fast, who owns the existing plants in the UK? LOL.
Better still, look at the more general picture, and see who benefits from this who is either in the government, has been in the government, or has strong connections to the government...
While one should never assume malice over stupidity in the matter of dumbass, incompetent government action, it is always a Real Good Idea to assume some degree of corruption on the part of ones involving vast sums of money.
"I either want less corruption, or more chance to participate in it."
- Ashleigh Brilliant -
I thought most UK nukes were owned by EdF.
And I agree that one should understand that someone's ox will be fattened by this proposal.
I think taxing stealth is a good idea. It will bankrupt 50% of Republican politicians and lobbyists and 90% of Democrats.
Win-win. Cigars all around.
>> Exelon, headquartered in Chicago, formerly lead by the father of Bill Ayers, that's who.
Wonder how much stock in Exelon Ayers inherits/inherited?
> I think taxing stealth is a good idea. It will bankrupt 50% of Republican politicians and lobbyists and 90% of Democrats.
Taxing stupidity and foolishness would be better.
That would hit 50% of the GOP (95% of the RINOs) and 147% of the Democratic Party.
The extra 47% is people who become defacto Dems by being closer to them, like, oh, Greens, Socialists, PETAphiles, Union Members, and so forth, regardless of their official affiliation.
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