Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., said he plans to issue a proposal when Congress returns from recess that would impose stiff new taxes on gasoline and end the mortgage interest tax deduction on "McMansions," or homes greater than 3,000 square feet, as a way to discourage over-consumption of fuel.
Dingell, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, believes the proposals will help reduce carbon emissions by 60 percent to 80 percent by 2050, according to The Washington Post. But opponents like the National Association of Realtors are crying foul.
They contend that ending the tax deduction would reduce housing prices an average of 4 percent for all homes, not just the big houses.
Realtors also point out that many newer homes, including large ones, are much more energy efficient and that just concentrating on the square footage ignores any steps the homeowner has taken to reduce carbon emissions. In addition, square footage measurements are often approximations so it would be difficult for taxpayers to prove their house did or did not still qualify for the deduction.
