California Considers Business Fee Based On Emissions

In what could be a U.S. first California's Bay Area Air Quality Management District is proposing to charge an annual fee to businesses based on emissions the Mercury News reports.

All 10000 “stationary sources” of air pollution that the air district regulates would be subject to the fee 4.2 cents per metric ton of carbon dioxide including businesses and government agencies.

The Shell oil refinery in Martinez would pay the largest fee $186475 a year for its 4.4 million annual metric tons of emissions. The air district’s board could take a final vote by May.

Under the proposal all 10000 “stationary sources” of air pollution that the air district regulates would be subject to the fee including businesses and government agencies. They would pay it annually as part of getting their overall air quality permit renewed.