The cap and trade legislation as currently configured will increase costs for small businesses, while probably having little effect on big industry and large polluters.
We think that ultimately, the industries affected by Cap and Trade will pass along their increased C&T-associated expenses to consumers. We don’t foresee a major bump in consumer prices, because we don’t see C&T having a major impact on reducing carbon emissions.
As far as the impact on the sustainability industry Cap and Trade is not a green jobs creator. It is a vehicle created to lower emissions long term, assuage energy lobbyists and special interests and line a few Wall Street firms pockets at the taxpayers’ expense. New energy technologies and alternative energy infrastructure would benefit much more from a real “Carbon Tax” that mandated change, and in so doing, stimulate new, green industrial growth and positive environmental impact.
Tap dancing around emission standards with the smoke and mirrors approach of Cap and Trade won’t help consumers pay the future health insurance premiums and hospital expenses associated with the respiratory ailments and diseases caused by inhaling fossil fuel-based carbon emissions and air pollution. We’re afraid that to be effective in any way, Cap and Trade will need a major overhaul before it gets too far down the road.
