The Province of British Columbia boasts a balanced budget for 2008. More than $1 billion is included to support the government's greenhouse gas emission reduction goal.
British Columbia's Revenue-Neutral Carbon Tax - introducing North America's first comprehensive carbon tax to encourage individuals and businesses to reduce their use of fossil fuels and related greenhouse gas emissions.
Sound like a scary new tax? Maybe so unless & until we 'get it'. But not really.
Effective July 1, 2008, the carbon tax is applicable fossil fuels, including gasoline, diesel, natural gas, coal, propane and home fuels, making it among the most comprehensive in the world.
It will includes sales tax exemptions for fuel-efficient vehicles and ENERGY STAR appliances. $60 million is aimed at energy audits and conservation incentives. Public transit, greener ports, energy efficient buildings, a carbon neutral public sector and increased incentives to get older, less efficient vehicles off our roads.
Revenue Neutral Carbon Tax
- By law revenue raised must be returned through other tax reductions.
- Incentive to reduce emissions in any chosen way.
- Anyone can choose to avoid the tax by conserving, increasing efficiency, changing fuels, adopting new technology and any combination of these approaches.
- Higher price for higher-carbon makes green options of low or no-carbon emission alternatives.
- Introduced in phases for adaption and impact reduction
- starts at $10 per tonne; to increase $5 a year for four years; $30 per tonne by 2012.
- Translates to 2.41 cents per litre gasoline, rising 7.24 cents a litre by 2012.
- Diesel and home heating oil; 2.76 cents per litre to start; 8.27 cents over 5 years
WAHOO! ...GO BC!
I think our provincial flag is pretty 'Green'! What do you say?
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein
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Deborah Pearce is a Kelowna Business Woman & webmaster established with locals and internationals in various aspects of Interiors, Art, and Business for over 20 years. LIVING SPACES features over 140 ARTICLES on Staging, Art and Interiors.
Deborah's blog frequently features interior design, real estate, community, environmental, internet, travel, art and human interests.
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DEb
Althought the good intentions are there, it will never amount to a drip of what will really be needed. I suppose the US and Canandian farmers could fire their lobbiest since ethnonel burns holes in the ozone at a faster rate than ANYTHING before.
EXcellenecet gesture, much more needed.
Tom Braatz