This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A recent letter ("Trib needlessly instills climate fears," Dec. 22) feared a carbon tax because it would disadvantage American companies. After all, our foreign competitors in China and elsewhere wouldn't have to pay it. That point is spot on — for some carbon taxes. However, "carbon fee and dividend" is a simple proposal that avoids this problem.
Under F&D, a fee would be levied on fossil fuels when they are removed from the ground. This money would be returned to households; there would be no net tax increase.
Most importantly, the fee would also be levied on goods from countries that don't have a price on carbon. So when we import steel from China, there would be a tariff. It would be the same amount as the fee had the steel been made in the U.S. Thus, Chinese steel would have the same energy costs as American steel.
Furthermore, when U.S. companies export their goods, the fee will be rebated. Once again, our industry gets to compete on a level playing field.
F&D ensures that American goods won't face unfair foreign competition at home or abroad. With the right kind of carbon tax, we can do right by our economy and fight climate change.
Steve Glaser
Holladay