American Reform Party Issue and Opinion Polls

Background Information

What is cap-and-trade?

Cap-and-trade is an approach designed to control carbon emissions.  The government sets a “cap” on the amount of carbon dioxide that can be emitted. Companies are issued emission permits and are required to hold an equivalent number credits which represent the right to emit a specific amount carbon dioxide.

The total amount of allowances and credits cannot exceed the cap, limiting total emissions to that level. Companies that need to increase their emission allowance must buy credits from those who use less. The transfer of allowances is referred to as a “trade.” In effect, the buyer is paying a charge for emitting carbon dioxide, while the seller is being rewarded for having reduced emissions by more than was needed. 

Why should American citizens be concerned about cap-and-trade?

Cap-and-trade will impose huge costs upon American citizens.  Cap-and-trade will impose a carbon tax on all goods and services produced in the United States.  The average family of four can expect to pay an additional $1700 or more each year.  The United States is expected to lose more than 2 million jobs as the result of cap-and-trade schemes.  Poor and middle-income families will be hurt the most.  All of this for little, if any, real impact on the earth’s climate.  Even proponents of cap-and-trade have acknowledged that this scheme will only amount to approximately 1/10 of 1 degree of temperature change in 100 years