Climate Change's Great Divide

Lawmakers Favor Carbon Caps,
Trading; Economists Prefer a Tax

By DEBORAH SOLOMON
September 12, 2007; Page A4

The biggest political battle in Washington over climate change may not pit Democrats against Republicans. Instead, it could be economists versus politicians.

Many academics, even conservatives, favor a tax on carbon emissions. Many lawmakers, including some liberals, fear a political backlash against new fees. They lean toward a cap-and-trade system, which would set a limit on carbon-dioxide emissions and require companies to obtain permits to release carbon dioxide into the air.

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