Sound Politics: Digging Deeper on Cap & Trade

1) Despite the zeal of environmentalists, cap & trade hasn't worked at all as promised in Europe. Real questions about its effectiveness both in terms of environmental effectiveness and economic impact have arisen. Smart Democrats in Olympia recognize this.

Could Small Nations Like the Maldives Lead in Renewable Energy? - Green Inc. Blog - NYTimes.com

The reported cost for the renewable energy package is about $110 million a year over a decade. That’s a lot for a small, fishing- and tourism-dependent nation during the most severe global economic downturn in decades. (Note how Masdar, the green energy firm in Abu Dhabi leading a project for a non-polluting car-free city in the desert, said over the weekend that it will pursue a cautious investment policy this year because of the financial downturn.)

UAE green firm Masdar cautious on 2009 investments | Markets | Reuters

ABU DHABI, March 15 (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi's state-owned green energy firm Masdar said on Sunday it would pursue a cautious investment policy this year because of the financial downturn, focussing on current projects.