it was generally assumed that China would be the first polluter to have a tariff levied against it. But, you know assumptions ...
The first carbon tax to reduce the greenhouse gases from imports comes not between two nations, but between two states. Minnesota has passed a measure to stop carbon at its border with North Dakota. To encourage the switch to clean renewable energy Minnesota plans to add a carbon fee of between $4 and $34 per ton of carbon dioxide emissions to the cost of coal-fired electricity, to begin in 2012, to discourage the use of coal power; the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Coal has immediate health effects in addition to the well documented long term effects on climate. Coal has been implicated in asthma, diabetes, heart disease and even neurological damage, reducing intelligence levels. North Dakota ranks 8th in toxic metals contaminating its coal waste, with 3,419 tons of toxic metals.
North Dakota, meanwhile, is pissed, and has sued the state of Minnesota. Minnesota had anticipated this, and has a half million dollars set aside to fight.
Oh I'm sure the new this, Tariffs and Cap n' Trade won't lead to massive taxpayer debt :-(