Taxes and Toxicity: Exploring the Feasibility and Political Landscape Surrounding a State-Level Carbon Initiative in North Carolina

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  • May 15, 2019
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  • Hennen, Emily
    • Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Curriculum in Environment and Ecology, Environmental Studies
Abstract
  • This paper specifically explores carbon tax at the state-level as a method to reduce carbon emissions, discussing its feasibility and political landscape within North Carolina. This is done through nine interviews with state politicians, environmental nonprofits, and experts in environmental policy. Each was asked their personal opinions on a state-level carbon tax, their thoughts on its feasibility, what tax revenue uses would be optimal, and who they felt would be key players in making such an initiative successful. “Toxic” is used by interview subjects in this paper not only to describe coal ash and greenhouse gas emissions, but also the political and economic structures directed at regulating these emissions. Interview results have shown that a conservative and revenue-neutral proposal is most likely to succeed in the state’s republican-majority General Assembly, but even that is highly unlikely, and activists are concerned with the disproportionate impact of such a tax on low-income families. Results found that key individuals would support a carbon tax, but agree such policy is unlikely to be successful in North Carolina in the near future and significant Republican support would be necessary in making one possible. It was found that while most Democratic legislators and environmental experts would prefer a carbon pricing system that addresses issues of environmental injustice, that is least likely to succeed. Instead, targeting renewable energy expansion and economic growth would be most approved by Republican lawmakers. Additionally, these Republican lawmakers would likely need to be the ones to present the initiative in order for ultimate success, which remains unlikely and would not address concerns of environmental injustice and energy inequality. This research can be utilized to provide insight for future efforts in pursuing state-level carbon pricing initiatives in North Carolina.
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Advisor
  • Hennen, Emily
Degree
  • Bachelor of Arts
Academic concentration
  • Environmental Studies
Honors level
  • Honors
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduation year
  • 2019
Language
  • English
Date uploaded
  • April 26, 2019

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