States continue to do it for themselves

The US state of Minnesota has imposed the world’s first ‘carbon tariff’ – on imports of electricity from neighbouring North Dakota. Tighter carbon dioxide controls in Minnesota and cheap land in North Dakota have led to utilities companies choosing to site their generating facilities in North Dakota. To level the playing field and to continue to promote the growth of sustainable energy in both states, Minnesota plans to levy a carbon fee of between $4 and $34 per tonne of carbon dioxide emissions on imported electricity. North Dakota is planning a legal challenge. More at Scientific American.

Sounds good – protectionism schmotectionism when it comes to the climate, I say…