An economist looks at how economic worries, and political ideology, have made carbon taxes a tough sell.

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Economists generally agree that the most efficient way to reduce  carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming is by putting a price on carbon in the form of a carbon tax. Consumers, though, can tend see things differently. The idea of taxing the fuels that run our cars, and power our homes and jobs, has given Americans pause and, as a result, no carbon tax has been levied to date in the United States.

Nevertheless, calls for a carbon tax have become more frequent as concern over climate change has intensified. On Capitol Hill, there are half a dozen carbon fee proposals in circulation, with backing from liberals and conservatives. States have also explored carbon pricing, most notably the state of Washington, where two recent carbon tax ballot initiatives were defeated at the polls.

Ioana Marinescu, an economist at the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania, discusses the challenge of enacting a carbon tax. She also explores policymakers’ efforts to develop carbon tax legislation to appeal to the broad public, and what might be required for these efforts to ultimately succeed.

Ioana Marinescu is assistant professor of public policy with the School of Social Policy & Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

Related Content

The COVID Carbon Crunch. https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/blog/2020/05/12/covid-carbon-crunch

Robust Carbon Markets: Rethinking Quantities and Prices Carbon Pricing  https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/policy-digests/robust-carbon-markets

It’s Ideology, Stupid: Why Voters Still Shun Carbon Taxes https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/policy-digests/its-ideology-stupid

An economist looks at how economic worries, and political ideology, have made carbon taxes a tough sell.---Economists generally agree that the most efficient way to reduce  carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming is by putting a price on carbon in the form of a carbon tax. Consumers, though, can tend see things differently. The idea of taxing the fuels that run our cars, and power our homes and jobs, has given Americans pause and, as a result, no carbon tax has been levied to date in the United States.Nevertheless, calls for a carbon tax have become more frequent as concern over climate change has intensified. On Capitol Hill, there are half a dozen carbon fee proposals in circulation, with backing from liberals and conservatives. States have also explored carbon pricing, most notably the state of Washington, where two recent carbon tax ballot initiatives were defeated at the polls.Ioana Marinescu, an economist at the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania, discusses the challenge of enacting a carbon tax. She also explores policymakers’ efforts to develop carbon tax legislation to appeal to the broad public, and what might be required for these efforts to ultimately succeed.Ioana Marinescu is assistant professor of public policy with the School of Social Policy &amp; Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.Related ContentThe COVID Carbon Crunch. <a href='https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/blog/2020/05/12/covid-carbon-crunch'>https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/blog/2020/05/12/covid-carbon-crunch</a>Robust Carbon Markets: Rethinking Quantities and Prices Carbon Pricing  <a href='https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/policy-digests/robust-carbon-markets'>https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/policy-digests/robust-carbon-markets</a>It’s Ideology, Stupid: Why Voters Still Shun Carbon Taxes <a href='https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/policy-digests/its-ideology-stupid'>https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/policy-digests/its-ideology-stupid</a>

Energy Policy Now offers clear talk on the policy issues that define our relationship to energy and its impact on society and the environment. The series is produced by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the University of Pennsylvania and hosted by energy journalist Andy Stone. Join Andy in conversation with leaders from industry, government, and academia as they shed light on today's pressing energy policy debates.

Energy Policy Now

Energy Policy Now offers clear talk on the policy issues that define our relationship to energy and its impact on society and the environment. The series is produced by <a href="https://kleinmanenergy.upenn.edu/podcast/">the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy</a> at the University of Pennsylvania and hosted by energy journalist Andy Stone. Join Andy in conversation with leaders from industry, government, and academia as they shed light on today's pressing energy policy debates.

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