I think it's a great idea! In another article I mentioned that it makes no sense for utilities to buy carbon credits from forests because forests are not competitors. I said they should be required to buy from other fossil-fuel utilities, forcing them to compete directly against other emitters. Competing against the clean energy is a step further.

The problem is that carbon markets need willing participants, and unless it's heavily regulated, the fossil fuel companies will balk at paying for credits and opt out somehow, defeating the purpose.