His motivation is purely to prevent CO2-induced kidney stones in our grandchildren, am I right? Wind and solar company chairman wants sacks of cash for his industry, or extra taxes for his competition

Utility Chiefs Worry U.S. Rush to Gas Will Crowd Out Other Fuels - Bloomberg

Natural gas is the “killer app” because it’s the cheapest way to produce power, said Lewis Hay, executive chairman of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy Inc. (NEE), the nation’s largest producer of wind and solar energy.

The costs for fossil fuels such as natural gas should pay for their environmental impacts, which would help wind and solar companies compete, Hay, 56, said.

“None of us should be allowed to put pollutants into the air for free,” Hay said. “Either incentivize cleaner stuff, or tax the dirtier stuff.”

Thomas Fanning, CEO of Atlanta-based Southern Co. (SO), said taxing carbon emissions is a “terrible idea” because it would raise energy costs on low-income consumers. The economics of the industry is already pushing power providers to adjust.

“The transition is already occurring in America,” the 55- year-old executive said. “Why would you add a tax burden to an already regressive commodity?”