We Ought To Regulate Emissions And Get On With It, Says Senator

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) urges for quick action to reduce sodium dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and mercury emissions from polluting the air. These emissions are released when coal is burned. (0:48)
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[peterdublin]

Good point
- Deal with ordinary emission pollution - not just natural CO2!

This should in fact be the overall emission policy:

Sufficient first phase 2020/2030 CO2 emission reduction is achieved by acting on ELECTRICITY generation (coal, gas) and TRANSPORT (mainly automobiles) alone, since these 2 sectors typically (as in the USA) account for 80% of greenhouse gas emissions.

The focus on electricity and transport gives several advantages - apart from lowering CO2 emissions:

1. Local environmental benefit from less pollution of sulphur and all else that’s in the emissions (like Sen. Lamar Alexander says), regardless of the less certain or immediate global benefit from CO2 reduction.

2. Electricity supply alternatives which together with improved grid distribution gives better competition and keeps down electricity bills for consumers.

3. Transport alternatives (using electricity, hydrogen and other energy sources), which give variety of choice and competition advantages for consumers, additionally reducing the dependency on oil imports.

4. No trade problems: Unlike Cap and Trade, which involves cement, steel and other industries having to face imports from unregulated countries, the here suggested electricity and transport changes are not just more limited, but also largely local. Since there is little competition between say utility companies internationally, "best practice" results can be compared and shared.

Understanding why proposed Cap and Trade is bad, in USA and elsewhere
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Basic Idea — Offsets — Tree Planting — Manufacture Shift — Fair Trade — Surreal Market — Real Market — Allowances: Auctions + Hand-Outs — Allowance Trading — Companies: Business Stability + Business Cost — In Conclusion