Alternatives to the Pigou Club and Gas Taxes

One criticism I have received on numerous occasions is that I do not discuss any alternative methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

Here is one person who does: Peter Holle with his 10 “Smart Green” Ideas for Reducing Greenhouse Gases. I particularly like the two entries: "Remove hidden subsidies that depress energy prices" and "Cabotage Rights for Truckers". I'm a lot less fond of "Promote Telecommuting"; a good idea in theory, but in practice it appears we would just be replacing one set of inefficient subsidies with a new set of inefficient subsidies.

Anyhow, I highly recommend the article. I agree with him whole heartedly when he states: "Treading down the tired path of 1970s-style top-down, regulatory models that expand government’s bureaucratic whimsy will make our environmental programs more intrusive, but no more effective." I cannot tell you how many proposals I have heard that would increase the regulatory power of government agencies, but do little or nothing to achieve environmental objectives.