Harry Chomsky: National carbon fees would make Californians feel better

Re “Gas prices generate irrationality, demagoguery” (Opinions, April 6): Dan Walters offers some useful insights into California’s volatile gas prices. A nationwide carbon fee and dividend would bring the price of gas more into line with the social cost we impose by burning it. But in doing so, it could avoid some of the problems that frustrate Californians today:

▪ With a nationwide program, we wouldn’t feel unfairly taxed compared to other Americans.

▪ With a gradual, steady increase in the fee, we could predict the cost years in advance and make our buying and living decisions accordingly.

▪ With 100 percent of revenues returned to all Americans, we would know where all that money is going – not to oil companies, but to ourselves and our neighbors.

This story was originally published April 7, 2015 at 11:10 AM with the headline "Harry Chomsky: National carbon fees would make Californians feel better."