Members of Congress are increasingly embracing the realities of climate change and the need to implement policies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Putting a price on carbon is considered by many to be the most efficient and transparent policy approach to encourage emission cuts. Many in the businesses community are supporting a carbon pricing mechanism as preferable to other approaches.

Given the buzz, ConservAmerica hosted a webinar on Wednesday, July 21st that unpacked carbon pricing. EPIC Director Michael Greenstone explained the rationale for carbon pricing, and was joined by other experts to discuss the various issues associated with it. The webinar explored different ways carbon pricing can be implemented, its potential impact on various industries, potential alternatives, its effectiveness in reducing emissions, international implications, and the political dynamics in Congress.

Panelists:

• Michael Greenstone, Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics, Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (Presentation)
• Frank Macchiarola, Senior Vice President of Policy, Economics, and Regulatory Affairs at the American Petroleum Institute & Former Republican Staff Director of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
• Laura Brannen, Senior Policy Advisor for Climate at The Nature Conservancy
• Mike Catanzaro, President and Chief Policy Officer at The CGCN Group