In an interview, Mr. Baker said that the plan followed classic conservative principles of free-market solutions and small government. He suggested that even former President Ronald Reagan would have blessed the plan:
I’m not at all sure the Gipper wouldn’t have been very happy with this.He said he had no idea how the proposal would be received by the current White House or Congress.A carbon tax, which depends on rising prices of fossil fuels to reduce consumption, is supported in general by many Democrats, including Al Gore. Major oil companies, including Exxon Mobil, have come out in favor of the concept as well.
John Schwartz
Meanwhile, Trump’s proposed energy plan focuses on fossil fuels, especially coal mining, completely ignoring renewable energy, so my guess is there’s zero chance for this proposal to be implemented during his administration.
Whatever the fate of the plan, it is a notable moment because it puts influential members of the Republican establishment on the record as favoring action on climate change — a position that is publicly held by few Republicans at the national level, though many quietly say they would like to throw off the orthodoxy in the party that opposes action.
You can read the full text of the proposal here: The Conservative Case for Carbon Dividends.
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