From the WaPo (Arlington Budget ...):
Arlington County is considering an energy tax on residents to help pay for its high-profile initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, officials said yesterday in proposing a $873.6 million spending plan for the coming year.
Arlington residents could pay as much as $26 more on electricity and natural gas bills next year if the County Board decides to include $1.5 million for the environmental initiative in its spending package, which the board will consider in April.
Townhall.com contributes this summary:
If you don't do anything for the climate, we'll just force you anyway.
Er, no. A tax does not force anyone to do anything. And ditto to environmentalists skeptical of incentives who say that polluters will continue to pollute and simply pay the tax (as if).
A tax allows people to consider the true costs and benefits of an activity and make a rational choice.
