Cap and Trade - Sulfur Dioxide

It's a foregone conclusion that cap-and-trade for carbon emissions will be a reality in 2009; both candidates support the system. The difference is how the credits are allocated, but that conversation is for another day. Back in the late 1980's, acid rain was environmental cause de jure, caused by sulfur dioxide emissions. The solution came in the form of allowances for the emission of a certain level; producers that exceeded the caps had to purchase allowances, thus providing an incentive to reduce emissions.

By all means, the program has been a success in reducing sulfur emissions (see image below). At the same time, I'm not sure if the states of Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are feeling like successes these days. As they say, there is no such as a free lunch.