The climate bill would cost you up to $146 extra a year; what does that mean?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

by David Roberts

Yesterday, EPA released its long-awaited analysis of the American Power Act, Kerry and Lieberman's Senate climate bill. What most journalists and pundits have seized on is this finding: between 2010 to 2050, the legislation would cost the average American household between $79 to $146 extra a year. Now, on its face, that seems bad. Generally, people don't like to hear that they're going to have to spend more money. But some context is in order.

As a backdrop, consider that the EPA analysis shows American consumption and incomes rising throughout the period the legislation is place. We're going to get richer and richer and have more and more. It's just that if we attempt to save the world, we'll be just a little bit less richer.

How much less richer? What does $146 a year really mean? I asked around and got some nice figures for comparison from Jason Selfe, a research analyst at the Rhodium Group, a New York-based economic research firm.

For perspective, $146 a year is:

• about $0.40/day, $3/week, or $12/month;
• two text messages a day at $.20 each;
• about one Starbucks coffee a week ($4.05);
• a 24 pack of Coca-Cola Classic a month ($11.04);
• $63 less a month or $756 less a year than the average cost of cable;
• about the average cost of toilet paper ($140) for a family per year;
• less than the savings a day ($.91 - $1.62) from substituting Evian ($1.58/bottle) or Fiji ($2.29/bottle) bottled water for Poland Springs ($.67/bottle) when buying a 24 pack;
• a monthly subscription to Netflix ($8.99) plus a weekly supply of buttered microwave popcorn ($.75/pack); or
• about a monthly trip to the box office ($7.50) and a small popcorn ($4.75).

Would the American people pay as much to save the world as they pay for toilet paper? Would they pay as much as they pay to go to the movies? I have to believe they would.

Cost simply isn't a credible reason to oppose a carbon cap. The challenge is communicating that fact to the public in the face of misleading agitprop from the other side.

http://www.grist.org...does-that-mean/

[john & jean 37]

It means You are footing the bill for B.P. cleanup

[natty bumppo 297]

what does that mean?

STEVEN IS PAYING FOR ME !!!!!!!!

:dance: :dance: :dance:

[Dan J 277]

It means You are footing the bill for B.P. cleanup

Technically you already are if you buy gas.

[john & jean 37]

Technically you already are if you buy gas.

I drive a diesel, .30 pr gallon more than gas

[natty bumppo 297]

Technically you already are if you buy gas.

my car doesn't require gasoline ....

[alienlovechild 75]

So my $146 is going to force the Chinese to stop burning coal? How are we going to go back to that golden age of low pollution emissions= have a great recession to suppress economy activity.

As a backdrop, consider that the EPA analysis shows American consumption and incomes rising throughout the period the legislation is place. We're going to get richer and richer and have more and more. It's just that if we attempt to save the world, we'll be just a little bit less richer.

Not very reassuring from an administration that has lower incomes thus far and done a dismal job controlling government spending.

[Ban Hammer 13,366]

what happened to no new taxes on the middle class?

[Dan J 277]

So my $146 is going to force the Chinese to stop burning coal? How are we going to go back to that golden age of low pollution emissions= have a great recession to suppress economy activity.

Not very reassuring from an administration that has lower incomes thus far and done a dismal job controlling government spending.

If you wait until everyone else starts doing it, well, nothing will ever get done. China is already leading the US when it comes to alternative energy.

I drive a diesel, .30 pr gallon more than gas

Unless you are getting bio diesel, its also made from oil.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

EPA analysis?!?!? :rofl:

Are you kidding me?

NEXT.

[_Simpson_ 250]

my car doesn't require gasoline ....

Mine runs on flower power.

[natty bumppo 297]

I drive a diesel, .30 pr gallon more than gas

is that the difference between premium or regular ??? be fair in your comment .....

[_Simpson_ 250]

If you wait until everyone else starts doing it, well, nothing will ever get done. China is already leading the US when it comes to alternative energy.

How is there record on human rights?

[natty bumppo 297]

Mine runs on flower power.

good for you ... do you feel good about this?

we have two vehicles ... the gasoline powered vehicle has been garaged and used as needed .... the other vehicle is driven ....

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

More supercilious tripe from the tax-me-now-screw-me-later-crowd.