CA Initiates "Cap and Trade"

There are low-cost business sites and eager workers in Arizona and Nevada. Just sayin'.

Beginning Wednesday, the state of California will implement a "cap and trade" system designed to curb carbon emissions and cripple the state's economy. Well, actually, it's just designed to curb carbon emissions. Crippling the state economy is merely a nifty byproduct.

Now the Chamber of Commerce is suing the state, saying that the carbon trading system isn't really a trading system – it's a tax, unconstitutional under state law. Of course, they're correct. The state claims that the cap and trade system, which regulates how much companies can emit unless they pay the state extra cash – sort of like environmental indulgences – is just a big regulatory fee. Except that the state creates the necessity for the auction, and punishes you if you don't take part. The state is looking to raise some $500 million to $1 billion. Which will pay for the union employees across the state for a few weeks.

Comments

[Sevo]

I'm sure, much as Obama provides special dispensation to various FsoO, the CA government will provide special dispensation to favored firms.
They will stay, but that requires a hell of a government protection division, which means only big corps will be able to afford to buy the favors.
Finally, assuming those companies have competition, the additional cost of buying the favors will affect the cost structure and even more 'tax relief' will have to be granted those companies to avoid collapse.
I think Atlas Shrugged had a chapter dealing with this...