States In Northeast Cap And Trade Program Reduce CO2 20% Faster And Grow GDP At Twice The Rate of

[pampango]

Other States



Northeastern states participating in America’s first carbon cap and trade program have outperformed the rest of the country in GDP growth and reduction in global warming pollution. That’s according to a new report from Environment New Jersey, which examined emissions data and economic growth indicators from 2000 to 2009.

While we can’t say exactly what role RGGI played in these drops, we can make many other observations with certainty: The program has helped stimulate more efficiency and renewable energy, it has helped local businesses grow, it has added enormous economic value to the region, and it has not driven up electric rates.

Let’s compare real-world experience to the outlandish claims made by opponents of the program.

The Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity actually claimed that RGGI would drive rates up in New Jersey by 90%. And New Jersey Governor Chris Christie pulled his state out of the program, calling it a “gimmicky tax.” According to program administrators, proceeds from carbon credit auctions brought $29 million to New Jersey in 2010, leveraging $3 to $4 in benefits for every dollar invested.

Opponents who claim cap and trade is bad for the economy simply don’t have a leg to stand on.

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/04/20/468659/states-in-northeast-cap-and-trade-program-reduce-co2-faster-grow-gdp-other-states/

Let the AFP and the republican spin machine deal with this.

[jpak]

1. K&R and bookmarked

[annabanana]

2. Sadly, the republican spin machine will NOT "deal" wtih this.

It's just another flash from that annoying and irrelevant "fact-based reality"... They will ignore it and double down.

[pampango]

4. Sadly, you are right. New science, as with any other inconvenient fact, is simply one more thing

to ignore. Sounds bites and demonization work so much better for the GOP than working with a "fact-based reality".

[bahrbearian]

3. K&R