Dingell's plan puts pinch on big houses

Powerful U.S. Rep. John Dingell revealed Tuesday new details of his plan to cut global warming, including adding a 50-cents-a-gallon tax on gasoline and ending the mortgage tax deduction on what he called "McMansions," homes larger than 3,000 square feet.

...Dingell said at a town hall meeting in Ann Arbor that he plans to propose a multi-pronged bill Sept. 1 when Congress reconvenes. He will ask for an economy-wide tax of about $100 per ton of carbon dioxide emissions, as well as the gas tax.

Dingell's mention of "McMansions" and his call to take away the mortgage interest deduction for large homes, which use more energy than smaller ones, drew applause and a few cheers.

Also, Dingell will ask for a cap-and-trade system, with caps on carbon emissions that companies can trade, and extra funding for research on renewable energy.

From the Detroit Free Press

"These are all new ideas. I know I'm going to catch hell for them," he said.