Starting July1, Bay Area companies that cause CO2 emissions will have to pay a fee of 4.4 cents per ton of CO2 emitted. Not that much money really. However, it shocks me that businesses will be further regulated (down to the smallest of gas stations) when cars that continually emit aren't taxed for the same emissions. It's perplexing that the S.F. area would want to hurt even small businesses and possibly encourage new businesses to look elsewhere to set up shop.

It also seems like a sort of spot zoning or something - the same types of businesses that are right over county lines will not be subject to the fees, but still be in the same market environment. Any thoughts out there? it seems like if every county instituted such a fee structure, effective state wide or national regulations would be even more difficult to promulgate.

Joe,

My first thoughts are "What is the time period?" Is it 4.4 cents per ton per year? Second, is it going to be actual or potential emissions that are regulated. Third, how are the fees going to be calulated (who's going to monitor the emissions).

With respect to your question about why the cars will not be taxed, in general, it is much easier to regulate 20,000 businesses than 100,000 cars because the businesses are immobile.

The Bay Area Air quality district has specific boundaries just like any city or county. It's juridiction extends only to the limits of those boundaries. Think of sales taxes. In Georgia, the sales tax ranges from about 5.5% to 8% depending upon which county you are in.

MikeCJ