Tax-subsidy approach to acid-rain abatement

Journal Article · Thu Sep 30 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Public Util. Fortn.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6731189

Renshaw, E F

Economists generally agree that a pricing approach is the best way to control pollution, but their recommendations for effluent taxes have been unacceptable to politicians and industry because of the income-redistribution effects. Bills now before Congress will mandate a 50% reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions over a 12-year period at a cost of $3.3 to nearly $4 billion to the affected customers. Each state's allotted cutback will depend on the ratio of powerplant emissions in excess of 1.2 pounds per 10/sup 6/ Btu to total regional power-plant emissions in excess of that level. Midwest utilities regard the formula as unfair and want the costs distributed nationally. A special fuel tax based on sulfur emissions is an efficient no fault approach that would stimulate acid-rain abatement. 5 references, 1 table. (DCK)

• Research Organization: State Univ. of New York, Albany
• OSTI ID: 6731189
• Journal Information: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States), Journal Name: Public Util. Fortn.; (United States) Vol. 110:7; ISSN PUFNA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200200 -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Waste Management
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
296000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
500600 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Regulations-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACID RAIN
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
POWER PLANTS
RAIN
SUBSIDIES
TAXES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS