The 1990 Clean Air Act amendments created the Acid Rain Program. A cap-and-trade system was put in place. In order to emit sulfur dioxide (SO2), power plants had to have an “allowance” for each ton of SO2 emitted. Utilities were given some allowances, but not enough for full compliance. A nation-wide cap was set on SO2 emissions. The total amount of allowances available each year was equal to the cap. Utilities had to purchase allowances or find a way to reduce SO2 emissions. (For example, they could install an SO2 scrubber at their power plants, or they could switch to lower-sulfur coal, as well as purchase allowances.) This program is today viewed as successful – SO2 emissions have been reduced to such a level that they are not longer considered a problem.
Here is your discussion topic:
Should a similar cap-and-trade program be adopted for carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) emissions? If you favor a similar program, would you propose a bill in Congress or an administrative agency rulemaking?The 1990 Clean Air Act amendments created the Acid Rain Program. A cap-and-trade system was put in place. In order to emit sulfur dioxide (SO2), power plants had to have an “allowance” for each ton of SO2 emitted. Utilities were given some allowances, but not enough for full compliance. A nation-wide cap was set on SO2 emissions. The total amount of allowances available each year was equal to the cap. Utilities had to purchase allowances or find a way to reduce SO2 emissions. (For example, they could install an SO2 scrubber at their power plants, or they could switch to lower-sulfur coal, as well as purchase allowances.) This program is today viewed as successful – SO2 emissions have been reduced to such a level that they are not longer considered a problem.
Here is your discussion topic:
Should a similar cap-and-trade program be adopted for carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) emissions? If you favor a similar program, would you propose a bill in Congress or an administrative agency rulemaking?The 1990 Clean Air Act amendments created the Acid Rain Program. A cap-and-trade system was put in place. In order to emit sulfur dioxide (SO2), power plants had to have an “allowance” for each ton of SO2 emitted. Utilities were given some allowances, but not enough for full compliance. A nation-wide cap was set on SO2 emissions. The total amount of allowances available each year was equal to the cap. Utilities had to purchase allowances or find a way to reduce SO2 emissions. (For example, they could install an SO2 scrubber at their power plants, or they could switch to lower-sulfur coal, as well as purchase allowances.) This program is today viewed as successful – SO2 emissions have been reduced to such a level that they are not longer considered a problem.
Here is your discussion topic:
Should a similar cap-and-trade program be adopted for carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) emissions? If you favor a similar program, would you propose a bill in Congress or an administrative agency rulemaking?The 1990 Clean Air Act amendments created the Acid Rain Program. A cap-and-trade system was put in place. In order to emit sulfur dioxide (SO2), power plants had to have an “allowance” for each ton of SO2 emitted. Utilities were given some allowances, but not enough for full compliance. A nation-wide cap was set on SO2 emissions. The total amount of allowances available each year was equal to the cap. Utilities had to purchase allowances or find a way to reduce SO2 emissions. (For example, they could install an SO2 scrubber at their power plants, or they could switch to lower-sulfur coal, as well as purchase allowances.) This program is today viewed as successful – SO2 emissions have been reduced to such a level that they are not longer considered a problem.
Here is your discussion topic:
Should a similar cap-and-trade program be adopted for carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) emissions? If you favor a similar program, would you propose a bill in Congress or an administrative agency rulemaking?The 1990 Clean Air Act amendments created the Acid Rain Program. A cap-and-trade system was put in place. In order to emit sulfur dioxide (SO2), power plants had to have an “allowance” for each ton of SO2 emitted. Utilities were given some allowances, but not enough for full compliance. A nation-wide cap was set on SO2 emissions. The total amount of allowances available each year was equal to the cap. Utilities had to purchase allowances or find a way to reduce SO2 emissions. (For example, they could install an SO2 scrubber at their power plants, or they could switch to lower-sulfur coal, as well as purchase allowances.) This program is today viewed as successful – SO2 emissions have been reduced to such a level that they are not longer considered a problem.
Here is your discussion topic:
Should a similar cap-and-trade program be adopted for carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) emissions? If you favor a similar program, would you propose a bill in Congress or an administrative agency rulemaking?
