Yet there is little incentive for the private sector to become involved to reduce air pollution causing traffic. There is no monetary value placed on reducing this source of air pollution from a private sector business standpoint. The pilot program would establish an air pollution credits trading program in which small and large businesses, non-profit organizations, federal and state governments, schools and universities, or any other employer, can acquire credits by voluntarily participating in an employee telecommuting program. Participating employers receive pollution credits for a portion of the reduced pollutants which they can then sell on an exchange similar to a commodities exchange. Manufacturers and utility companies are currently regulated under the Clean Air Act and under increased pressure to reduce air pollutants from both the federal government and states which are struggling to develop implementation plans that improve air quality while allowing economic growth.
Trading occurs between utility companies and manufacturing operations.
If the air pollution credit trading program were in place, a participating employer which allowed its employees to telecommute on a regular basis would receive a pollution reduction credit for keeping those cars off the road and would be able to sell a portion of those credits for cash on a trading exchange. The size or value of the credit would be determined by the estimated pollution reduction. Any number of groups could buy the credits including utilities or other regulated entities under the Clean Air. Even environmental groups might want to buy pollution credits and hold on to them. And if all the studies are correct, these gains will be made with no loss of worker productivity.