Cap and Trade - A layperson's summary (Questions)

[Butterbean]

So many people I talk to have either never heard of Cap and Trade or they don't understand it.  I want to be able to explain it simply but want to make sure I understand it myself.

Is the following correct?


1)  Cap and Trade is a bill that will put a "cap" on the amount of pollution that a company/factory/whatever can emit into the atmosphere.  If they emit more pollution than the cap allows, they must do something like purchasing and planting trees etc. to offset their carbon footprint.  Al Gore has a company that you can pay to offset your carbon footprint.

2)  For companies that exceed the cap, the extra money that will need to be spent to offset their carbon footprint will be pushed to the consumer, thus impacting lower income families the worst for necessities.

3)  When asked if Obama would place tariffs on products imported from countries that did not parallel our cap, he said no.

4)  The bill also imposes a requirement on home-sellers to bring their house up to "green standards" at their expense before they can sell their home. 



Is all that right? 

Another question I have is, in simple terms, what is the "good" side of this bill?  What are they saying is the reason they want to pass it that will be beneficial to people?


Thanks!  I learn a lot from everyone here!

[Soul Crusher]

So many people I talk to have either never heard of Cap and Trade or they don't understand it.  I want to be able to explain it simply but want to make sure I understand it myself.

Is the following correct?


1)  Cap and Trade is a bill that will put a "cap" on the amount of pollution that a company/factory/whatever can emit into the atmosphere.  If they emit more pollution than the cap allows, they must do something like purchasing and planting trees etc. to offset their carbon footprint.  Al Gore has a company that you can pay to offset your carbon footprint.

2)  For companies that exceed the cap, the extra money that will need to be spent to offset their carbon footprint will be pushed to the consumer, thus impacting lower income families the worst for necessities.

3)  When asked if Obama would place tariffs on products imported from countries that did not parallel our cap, he said no.

4)  The bill also imposes a requirement on home-sellers to bring their house up to "green standards" at their expense before they can sell their home. 



Is all that right? 

Another question I have is, in simple terms, what is the "good" side of this bill?  What are they saying is the reason they want to pass it that will be beneficial to people?


Thanks!  I learn a lot from everyone here!

That is a good start.  The bill also creates many new govt agencies and creates a national building code replicating CA's building code. 

There are also requirements regarding the amount of emissions by year and goals and standards. 

The problem also is that the bill creates sort of an exchange like the stock market where these "credits" are traded.  A middle man, like Al Gore, is going to make billions as the agent to affect the trades. 

What Obama is not telling you is that 85% if the revenues have already been doled out to special interests as a condition of their agreeing to this insanity.  Thus, most of the higher taxes people are going to pay is not even going to the Fed. Treasury, but to special interests in the form of offsets, credits, and contracts.

There is so much else in there I can ell you about.   The bill also mandates two inspections of the homes as a condition of sale.   


THIS BILL IS INSANE AND MOST OF THE BAD SHIT IS IN THE 300 PAGE AMENDMENT THAT THEY THROUGH IN AT 3:00 AM

CALL YOUR SENATORS!
       

[Soul Crusher]

Green Peace and the Sirerra Club are against this as well because they both know this bill does nothing to curb emissions, but is a massive giveway to special interests and a tax increase on people.

Dennis Kucinich voted against this as well for the same reason.   

[Dos Equis]

Terrible idea.

[shootfighter1]

Dennis on the right side of the issue again.  I have been critical of him but nice to see him sticking up for the people here.  This is an anti-washington vote.

[Butterbean]

The problem also is that the bill creates sort of an exchange like the stock market where these "credits" are traded.  A middle man, like Al Gore, is going to make billions as the agent to affect the trades. 

What Obama is not telling you is that 85% if the revenues have already been doled out to special interests as a condition of their agreeing to this insanity.  Thus, most of the higher taxes people are going to pay is not even going to the Fed. Treasury, but to special interests in the form of offsets, credits, and contracts.


       

Can you explain the stock exchange thing and how they will trade credits?

Is there any list of these special interests anywhere?  If not, can you just give me a couple of examples?

Thanks for all this information!

When is this up for the Senate vote?

[Soul Crusher]

Can you explain the stock exchange thing and how they will trade credits?

Is there any list of these special interests anywhere?  If not, can you just give me a couple of examples?

Thanks for all this information!

When is this up for the Senate vote?

Go read the article I posted about Goldman Sachs.  This explains how this works.   

[Butterbean]

Go read the article I posted about Goldman Sachs.  This explains how this works.   

Thanks I will look for it in your profile.

[GigantorX]

Dennis on the right side of the issue again.  I have been critical of him but nice to see him sticking up for the people here.  This is an anti-washington vote.

I'm with you on Dennis. He has done some shit over the years that I haven't agreed  with, but the guy is sincere and looks to be honest as well.