Could a State-Level Carbon Tax Work in the Intermountain West?

Authors

Adele C. Morris, Brookings Mountain WestFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-8-2013

Publisher

Brookings Mountain West

Abstract

With the U.S. federal government stuck in partisan gridlock, attention increasingly turns to states and localities for innovative climate solutions. This talk will explore the option for Intermountain West states to tax carbon, including how they could establish a tax base, set price signals, and manage revenue. The presentation will pay special attention to the option of “swapping” a carbon tax for revenue sources that more negatively impact economic growth, such as taxes on business activity. This research will explore the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches and consider the issue of the burdens on lower income households and certain industries. In addition, the speaker will discuss how a carbon tax at the state level could impact the case for other state-level policies to promote clean energy and reduce emissions. The research presented is a collaboration with Brookings scholar Tracy Gordon and UNLV graduate student in economics, Matt Kinzer.

Keywords

Carbon taxes; Climatic changes; Emissions trading; Global warming; Local government – Law and legislation; West (U.S.)

Disciplines

Law | State and Local Government Law | Sustainability | Tax Law

File Format

pdf

File Size

3.131 KB

Streaming Media

Language

English

Comments

Video File size: 119 megabytes

Attached file: 29 PowerPoint slides

Repository Citation

Morris, A. C. (2013). Could a State-Level Carbon Tax Work in the Intermountain West?.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/brookings_lectures_events/60