Clipmarks | Carbon tax. Clips

Bailout Bill Loops In Green Tech, IRS Snooping

Sat, 04 Oct 2008 05:41:30 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: • One-year extension for wind and refined coal energy tax credits. A production credit for electricity produced from renewable marine energy sources Energy credits for "small wind properties," geothermal heat pump systems, and energy-efficient residential properties.

• New renewable-energy bonds. Up to $800 billion in energy bonds may be offered to the public...

• Tax credits for "cellulosic biofuels" and for "carbon dioxide sequestration." An extension of an alternative fuel credit. Tax credits for "new qualified plug-in electric-drive motor vehicles." Bicycle commuters get a nod,...

The bailout bill also gives the Internal Revenue Service new authority to conduct undercover operations. It would immunize the IRS... federal laws, including permitting IRS agents to run businesses for an extended sting operation..

Anti-Drug Abuse Act in 1988, the IRS has possessed this authority temporarily, with occasional multiple-year lapses...such undercover authority would be made perma

Clip Source: news.cnet.com

Last week, the Bush administration proposed a three-page bill to bail out Wall Street to the tune of $700 billion. It died in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week.

On Friday, though, the House approved a far bigger, broader, and beefier version of the bill--which has ballooned to a remarkable 442 pages. The vote was 263 to 171, with the bulk of the opposition coming from Republicans. Because the Senate already approved the measure, it immediately went to President Bush, who signed it into law.

The bill has become, in other words, something almost unrelated to the business of bailing out Wall Street. The Beltway term for this is a "Christmas tree bill," meaning everyone gets to hang their favorite spending projects on it--though by the time Congress gets it through, it more closely resembles a slop bucket.

Here's a look a some of the green-tech measures:

IRS undercover operations: Privacy invasion?

Tags: bailout bill, green tech, irs operations, anti-drug abuse act

Wall Street Bailout or Carbon Tax Implementation?

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:04:24 GMT

clipped by: ColoradoRight

Clip Source: newsbusters.org

Why is the mainstream media --which keeps lecturing Americans that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's Bailout Package Version 2.0 must be passed immediately-- ignoring what might be the most earth-shattering provisions in Paulson's package?

The media needs to start asking hard questions. Here is where they need to start. If you look at page 180 of the 451-page monster bailout bill that easily passed the Senate yesterday (PDF here), you will see that it includes at Section 116 language about the tax treatment of "industrial source carbon dioxide." It also provides, at Section 117, for a "carbon audit of the tax code."

This appears to be an attempt by global warming fanatics to lay the foundation for an economy-killing carbon tax just like the "cap-and-tax" system that is now destroying European industry.

If you think the Mother of All Bailouts is bad, just wait till you see the carbon tax. Get ready to reduce your standard of living drastically.

Tags: ecofreaks, econazis, environment, ecology, carbon, tax, taxes

Tax What We Burn, Not What We Earn

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:24:29 GMT

clipped by: Forbes Markets
clipper's remarks: Al Gore comes up with the bumper sticker for the times.

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

The Nobel laureate and former US vice- president, Al Gore, has urged Americans to abandon electricity generated by fossil fuels within a decade.

He said it did not make sense that the US was borrowing money from China to burn oil from the Middle East which then contributed to climate change.

"The answer is to end our reliance on carbon-based fuels," he said in a speech in Washington.

To secure this green revolution, Mr Gore said the single most important policy change would be to "tax what we burn - not what we earn".

Tags: energy, al gore, slogans

Obama, the economic disaster

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 04:04:00 GMT

clipped by: sillysam

Clip Source: corner.nationalreview.com

And as the stock market looks on warily, falling slightly today after plunging yesterday, the lead story in this morning’s Wall Street Journal is a serious indictment of Obama’s economic program. “Senator Obama is proposing to use the government to remake economic policies in a way that hasn’t been seen in Washington in decades.” And if it’s a three-house Dem sweep, it will be Katy bar the door. Big-government spending programs, tax increases, trade restraints, a government health-care plan, cap-and-trade on climate change — all without any real deficit restraints, which are accorded a low priority.

Incidentally, while the public clamors for drill, drill, drill, Obama wants high-cost, cap-and-trade carbon regulation enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency. Now, McCain also wants cap-and-trade, but not if India and China don’t go along. Apparently Obama will not be constrained by the rest of the world.

Why Should We Trust Them With More of our Money?

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:59:36 GMT

clipped by: cmstratton
clipper's remarks: It's become pretty obvious to anyone paying attention, that state and federal governments are not good at managing money. We have a huge federal deficit, many states are facing huge deficits, and some large cities are even going bankrupt.

Why would we even consider raising taxes to give government even more of our money to mis-manage? All they'll do is pass more ridiculous legislation that spends our money even more unwisely.

Instead, let's focus on cutting government spending. Or an even more radical idea, let's run our governments like a business, led be real business executives instead of politicians.

I'm tired of seeing a large portion of my paycheck get flushed down the drain because our state and federal governments don't know a thing about how to spend it wisely.

Clip Source: news.cnet.com

With retail e-commerce sales now estimated to exceed $130 billion a year, and iTunes song purchases topping 5 billion, state politicians and tax collectors have begun to levy new fees on digital downloads.

"With global warming and a world that's running out of oil, the last thing governments should do is add taxes on something that uses no oil and produces no carbon," said Steve DelBianco, executive director of NetChoice. "A digital download is the greenest way to buy music, movies, and software, since it requires no driving to the store, no delivery vans, and no plastics or packaging."

The increasing popularity of online merchants makes taxes on digital downloads an attractive source of revenue for politicians; last week, for instance, we reported that iTunes was the top music retailer in the United States for the first half of 2008.

To the Moon AL

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:49:37 GMT

clipped by: Imnclady

Clip Source: www.treehugger.com

“A Generational Challenge to Repower America”: Al Gore’s Energy & Climate ‘Moon Shot’ Speech

Today at D.A.R. Constitution Hall in Washington D.C., Al Gore delivered a speech which outlines his vision of how the United States needs another ‘moon shot’ to solve the intertwined problems of climate change and energy independence. Though he doesn’t come out and say it, he even alludes to peak oil.

Carbon tax should replace large part of payroll tax

We should tax what we burn, not what we earn.

we can start right now using solar power, wind power and geothermal power to make electricity for our homes and businesses.

We’re borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet.

the exploding demand for oil, especially in places like China,

Our entire civilization depends upon us now embarking on a new journey of exploration and discovery.

Once again, we have an opportunity to take a giant leap for humankind.

Responses to “Stéphane Dion proposes carbon ‘tax shaft’”

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:06:55 GMT

clipped by: planetclaire7
clipper's remarks: just another of the many angry Canadians speaking their mind on this of the many scams the liberals came up with to try to empty our wallets even more....

Clip Source: canuckpolitics.com

kingcharliemain Says:
June 9th, 2008 at 8:57 am

Dion your an idiot. Since when have the liberals ever given back anything they have stolen from the Canadian people. It may be getting warmer, it has since the last ice age, but the idea that a carbon dioxide is responsible for anything so complex is rediculus. It’s all about liberal socialist distroying the white western middle class as they have been trying to do since Karl Marcx.
Socialist want only an elite,”them” who rule
and everyone else poor to do their bidding.

Tags: staephane dion, idiot, corrupt, liar, liberal

A Different World Right Next Door

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:43:34 GMT

clipped by: tanpro

Clip Source: www.themoderateseparatist.com

Here’s where I have to be careful with my wording. While I can fully appreciate the situation and the public outcry after such a tragedy, the fact is the attendant should never have risked his life over $12 of gas. That’s what video surveillance is for.

While B.C. fights the environmental war with yet another useless, cash-grab tax, Alberta launches real action in the fight with a $2 Billion carbon-capture program. Even the way we choose to save the world is at odds.

FREE Email: No More Excuses For High Energy Prices!

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:16:42 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: There's just one problem: Democrats are refusing to allow the bill out of committee, so the full House of Representatives can vote on it!

Thankfully, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) has filed a "discharge petition" to get H.R. 3089 OUT of committee and force a vote on it. That petition already has 153 names on it -- but it requires 218 signatures to force that vote...

So WE need to get 65 more Congressmen to SIGN that petition, NOW!

Clip Source: capwiz.com

RightMarch.com
Patriotism In Action.

There's a great bill that Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) has introduced that could go a long way towards ending those games, and bringing some sense -- and lower prices -- back to U.S. energy policy. The bill is H.R. 3089, the "No More Excuses Energy Act," designed to encourage domestic production of energy.

This bill includes language to allow drilling in ANWR and offshore. It also includes tax credits to capture carbon dioxide coming up smoke stacks and use it to flush oil out of existing wells, allowing us to get more oil out of wells that we already have and, at the same time, reduce so-called "greenhouse gas" emissions. The "No More Excuses Energy Act" will also extend the wind energy tax credit for 10 years, and encourage investment in nuclear power plants, and in new refineries.

It's about time to unleash the creative power of American industry and unlock the energy resources we have within the United States.

Tags: gas prices, h.r.3089, anwr, offshore drilling, tax credits, carbon capture

New Austrian laws promote eco-friendly cars

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:45:26 GMT

clipped by: Socratoad

Clip Source: www.spacemart.com

New Austrian laws promote eco-friendly cars

The new legislation, adopted by the grand coalition of Social Democrats and conservatives, is aimed at cutting carbon emissions by up to 33,000 tonnes per year and could also generate 21 million euros in additional tax revenues for the government.

New tax laws came into effect in Austria Tuesday aimed at encouraging people to buy more fuel-efficient cars, and penalising drivers who buy gas-guzzling vehicles.

The rules require consumers to pay penalties when they purchase gas-guzzlers, while buyers of more environmentally friendly cars receive bonuses.

Consumers who buy cars that emit less than 120 grammes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometre and less than 60 milligrammes of nitrogen oxide per kilometre stand to pocket tax bonuses of up to 500 euros (787 dollars).

emissions trading and fuel prices

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 01:31:07 GMT

clipped by: rod-au

Clip Source: www.smh.com.au

The Government's price commitment indicates that should fuel be included in the emissions scheme, petrol excise would be cut to offset the increase caused by the imposition of a carbon tax.

The chief economist at AMP Capital, Shane Oliver, predicted that oil at $US170 a barrel would mean unleaded petrol rising to between $1.95 and $2 a litre.

Another option is to defer the inclusion of petrol until after the election scheduled for late 2010.

Tags: fuel prices, emissions trading, australia

What the next president should say

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:14:25 GMT

clipped by: Socratoad
clipper's remarks: Of course that would take someone possessing a spine.

Clip Source: gristmill.grist.org

What the next president should say

The era of cheap energy is over. We will never again see cheap gas, and we can expect the price of electricity to rise inexorably.

In order for the United States to survive, we need to rebuild our energy infrastructure.

To reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, we need to implement a carbon tax or cap-and-trade system. This is a national security issue.

In order for the United States to survive, we need to rebuild our energy infrastructure.

To reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, we need to implement a carbon tax or cap-and-trade system. This is a national security issue.

We need a Manhattan-style government-funded project to develop new forms of renewable energy. We should be spending several tens of billions of dollars every year on this research.

Increased drilling or unconventional sources of fuel, like oil shale or tar sands, will provide so little fuel that they are simply not worth doing.

Earth Near Tipping Point, Climatologist Warns

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:56:34 GMT

clipped by: papananook
clipper's remarks: What to do, what to do? That's the question for the average citizen. Do we just inore this brilliant man or get leaders who will listen and act?
During a speech at the National Press Club, he rambled, as if his ideas were sprinting well ahead of his words, but he kept an overflow ballroom audience rapt.

Already, he said, the world’s safe level of atmospheric carbon dioxide has been exceeded.

Yet, in the 20 years since he first testified, no major U.S. law restricting greenhouse gas emissions has been passed, 21 new coal-fired generating units have been built at power plants in this country and total U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide have climbed by about 18 per cent.
He also accused corporate America of a “greenwash” in which their environmentally friendly words are not backed by actions and he supported criminal charges against CEOs of corporations such as ExxonMobil who are smart enough to know the situation but are intent on continuing their fossil fuel ways.

“When their d

Clip Source: www.commondreams.org

WASHINGTON-James Hansen returned to Capitol Hill a hero yesterday, but certainly not a conquering hero.

The soft-spoken scientist, hailed as the “whistle-blower for the planet,” tried to quiet a standing ovation from environmentalists here with a typically blunt admonition.

“It is not a time to celebrate,” said Hansen, 20 years to the day since he became the first leading scientist to warn of the dangers of global warming before a congressional committee.

He returned not to bask in any adulation, but to warn that the Earth is nearing a tipping point, to call for a national carbon tax and to say that CEOs of energy companies may be guilty of crimes against humanity and nature.

On June 23, 1988, by most accounts, the temperature in the committee room hovered at 38C and the U.S. was in the midst of a historic drought when Hansen told a Senate committee he was “99 per cent certain” that humans were warming the global climate.

“We have reached a point of planetary emergency,” he said.

The High Cost of McCarbonomics

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:17:32 GMT

clipped by: amgumen
clipper's remarks: McCain's plan amounts to nothing less but stealing from taxpayers to buy political love from ZEV automakers with little or no reduction in CO2 emissions.

Clip Source: us.mc540.mail.yahoo.com

The presumed Republican nominee is proposing a $300 million government prize to whoever can develop an automobile battery that far surpasses existing technology... In addition, a so-called Clean Car Challenge would provide U.S. automakers with a $5,000 tax credit for every zero-carbon emissions car they develop and sell."

McCain's $5,000 tax credit for each zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) sold is ridiculous

1. Based on the average automobile's annual CO2 emissions (6 tons) and the average life of a car (9 years), this works out to taxpayers forking out $5,000 to avoid 54 tons of tailpipe emissions -- that is, $92.60 per ton of CO2. In comparison, a metric ton of CO2 only cost about $5.80 on the Chicago Climate Exchage as of Friday, June 20.

While no CO2 is emitted from a ZEV per se, the emissions are merely shifted from the tailpipe to the smokestack at the power plant that generated the electricity

Why we need high oil prices

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:11:27 GMT

clipped by: egoldstein
clipper's remarks: I know this sounds crazy, but i honestly believe that high oil prices in the short term (1-5 years) is a very good thing if it forces us to find alternatives. I am definitely concerned that if oil prices drop temporarily, the momentum behind alternatives such as wind and solar will die off - leaving us exactly where we are today - way too dependent on oil and way to harmful to our environment.

Clip Source: www.ft.com

If the Democratic party were correct about speculation and gouging, it should be demanding a Nobel Prize for futures traders and oil titans. They have done more for the planet than Al Gore, making the pump price of petrol so unthinkably expensive (almost half as dear as in Europe!) that the country has started to economise. Americans are driving less and buying smaller cars.

If ever there were a case for the maxim, get prices right, this is it. The way to curb carbon emissions is to add the environmental cost of carbon to the price of energy. The current oil price offers a good opportunity: when it falls (as it probably will) a carbon tax could be used to set a floor, making the transition to correctly priced energy much easier.

Tags: alternative energy, oil, politics