Van Hollen Proposes U.S. Climate Action Plan

Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) has introduced a 28-page, market-based climate change plan for the United States that “would put money into the pockets of most Americans,” reports the Washington Post editorial board. “Since the beginning of the climate debate, mainstream economists, left and right, have argued that the best way to cut greenhouse gases is to use simple market economics, putting a price on emissions that reflects the environmental damage they cause,” the Post writes. “The nation is giving a massive implicit subsidy to the users of fossil fuels, who fill the air with carbon dioxide, imposing real costs on society, without paying for the privilege. Make users pay for the carbon dioxide they emit and they will waste less energy, while investment will flow into low-carbon technologies. The nation would obtain emissions cuts at a minimum cost to the economy.”