Carbon permits are alive and well, at least in Europe

In January 2012, per the European Union, all airlines that fly to Europe must purchase carbon emission permits.  Yes, you read that correctly. If American Airlines flies from New York to, let’s say Lisbon, when virtually none of the flight is over Europe, American must pay for a carbon permit to do so.

And, the price isn’t cheap.

The industry will face additional costs of between one and two billion euros next year depending on the price of the carbon permits. [emphasis supplied]

Of course, the industry won’t pay that cost, you, should you travel to Europe, will see your air fare increase to cover those costs.  Much like raising taxes in Connecticut hasn’t exactly caused thousands to pick up roots and move to Connecticut, I doubt this plan will boost European tourism.

But, in a rare display of solidarity, the House of Representatives, by a voice vote, and with nine Democrat sponsors, approved a bill that would bar any US airline from paying the, well, I’ll call it what it is, a tax to bail out Europe.

I don’t know what happens here if a US airline pays the tax (assuming the Senate also passes the bill and the President signs it into law), but, in Europe, if it doesn’t pay the tax, it can be fined 100 euros per ton for every ton of carbon dioxide that exceeds certain limits, and could be banned from flying into Europe altogether.

How about we just let Europe recede back into the Middle Ages on its own, and not fly there at all?

Besides,  the thought of oxen pulling the cart to market is very picturesque.

 

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SoundOffSister

The Sound Off Sister was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and special trial attorney for the Department of Justice, Criminal Division; a partner in the Florida law firm of Shutts & Bowen, and an adjunct professor at the University of Miami, School of Law. The Sound Off Sister offers frequent commentary concerning legislation making its way through Congress, including the health reform legislation passed in early 2010.

6 Comments

  1. sammy22 on November 2, 2011 at 11:31 am

    I guess I’ll have to fly a non-US airline to Europe and “avoid” higher fares. Lufthansa will do just fine.



    • Dimsdale on November 2, 2011 at 1:59 pm

      Why would Lufthansa be exempt?



  2. Murphy on November 2, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Declare Europe a NO FLY ZONE! Sounds good to me….. only allow Zeppelins & Blimps with peddle power (oops no the people peddling have to exhale) or? magic electrical engines.



  3. sammy22 on November 2, 2011 at 6:44 pm

    Unless SOS has left out something in her post, Lutfhansa is already paying for carbon permits in Europe, hence the cost is already in the price of buying a ticket to Europe.



  4. ricbee on November 2, 2011 at 11:25 pm

    I’ve been to Europe enough,close the door. I’ll try South America,it’s a lot cheaper.



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