09-24-2017, 08:19 AM
shifting costs and impact to others
Mostly the part where the externalized costs aren't recaptured, such as when HELCO burns fossil fuels to generate electricity: they get to pollute "for free".
Foam container ban is less obvious; it doesn't cost County anything to implement the rule, cost is borne by the consumer who pays "a little bit more" for their plate lunch. There will be some job losses at the Oahu polystyrene plant, but those can simply be absorbed by whomever pays their unemployment claims.
Who knows, maybe County will still build that composting facility.
Mostly the part where the externalized costs aren't recaptured, such as when HELCO burns fossil fuels to generate electricity: they get to pollute "for free".
Foam container ban is less obvious; it doesn't cost County anything to implement the rule, cost is borne by the consumer who pays "a little bit more" for their plate lunch. There will be some job losses at the Oahu polystyrene plant, but those can simply be absorbed by whomever pays their unemployment claims.
Who knows, maybe County will still build that composting facility.