• AdelleChattre
    +4

    Well, what about solar? Last year, of all the major energy sources in the U.S., solar wasn’t even a single percentage point. Significantly less than zero point whatever at night, of course. Hydrocarbons, Baby, were two-thirds. The vast majority of our energy comes from fossil fuels. All the renewables together don’t come close to nuclear, which is barely a fraction of oil etc.

    So, realistically, tariffs on Chinese solar coming into the U.S. doesn’t even begin to rate against the need to somehow begin to tamp down on greenhouse gas emissions. The question stands: how are we going to do that without taxing those emissions?

    Agreed the U.S. gas tax is absurd, but try telling the railroads that there’s no state and federal spending on highways. If it weren’t for that outlay, railroads would be vastly more economical than trucking. Diesel.

    • Appaloosa (edited 6 years ago)
      +2
      @AdelleChattre -

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_by_country

      It's not huge, I agree, but it is growing, and faster in some countries than others.

      It has grown quite a bit in the past several years though, US is now 1.4% and globally 1.8% . Worth noting, Japan @ 5%, Germany @ 6%. Italy @ 7.5%, UK @ 3.4%....and they don't have the great expanse of the badlands of the US. I would imagine that with proper incentive, the US could be much bigger with advancements to harvesting making it even more attractive.

      Anyway, as far as taxing, companies won't get the bill, you will, and as long as you pay, you'll be getting your energy from fossil fuels,because you can't choose an option. Uncle Sam will get more revenue to fund it's Club Med.