Re: [cdn-nucl-l] Coal needs protection in EU emissions scheme-Germany

[AtomicRod@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/21/04 1:43:35 AM, muckerheide@comcast.net writes:


> The EU scheme sets limits on CO2 pollution for thousands of companies
> across the continent but allows them to trade the right to produce the
> pollutant to help meet their targets


There is an interesting statement. How does a company obtain the "right" to produce the pollutant in the first place? 

The answer, interestingly enough, is to be an established polluter in the first place. As far as I can determine, the polluting companies pay nothing for this right, it is given to them based on their existing emissions during some predetermined period.

They can then change their business practices - increase plant efficiency or simply shut down portions of their polluting enterprises - and they can sell the rights to a different company.

These emissions trading schemes are thus massive give aways to large companies with a long history of polluting the environment.

If someone else has a different understanding of the scheme and I am off base here, please correct my misinterpretation.

Rod Adams
www.atomicinsights.com