Phendrana Drifts

I'm oddly drawn to the Liberal Green Shift policy. I blogged about it previously and on the eve of a possible federal election Stéphane Dion has announced some additional ~~vote-buying strategies~~ policy changes to the policy.

The Liberals have announced $900 million in funds to help and re-announcing $1.7 billion (over four years, $600 million annually by year four) for a capital cost allowance for green investment. Curiously of the $900 million in new funds is stated to be a part of the original plan. "As part of the Liberal green shift plan, $400 million over four years will be allocated for Emissions Reduction Credits. The credits will be delivered as refundable tax credits, meaning that farmers and forestry companies will get credits for emissions reduction regardless of income." I'm worried I missing something as in the original plan the words "Emissions Reduction Credits" don't appear together once. The closest thing I can find is the Green Rural Credit, but that is a substantially larger planned program than $400 million ($749 in year four alone).

Just as interesting is the $500 million in additional spending. It ends the claim that the Green Shift is neutral, as it will now at least cost $500 million in the bottom line and the last I looked $500 million is not just a lot of money, but is also coming from a decreasing surplus (even deficit, depending on how the government finances go).

Still, I'm happy the Liberals are releasing policy. And I'm looking forward to seeing other parties' platforms and policy as the campaign rolls out. Read the Green Shift here, and look at yesterday's news release here.

Labels: climate change, environment, federal politics

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