How to play this position as white?

There is a sort of position I get as white stemming from the Scandinavian or Caro-Kann, or transposing from similar openings, that I find a bit vexing, it might look something like this with white to move, give or take a couple of tempo from each side:

My question is about what plans are available for white here, maybe a strong player who is familiar with these positions can comment.  It looks like white should be able to retain his first move edge, but it is easier said than done.  My own way of handling these is typically to load up the e-file with Re1 (already played above) and Qe2, and then gain some space on the queenside with a timely a4 or b4.  Where to put white's DSB?  Bg5 doesn't seem that useful, but Be3 blocks the e-file.  And then there's the question of dealing with the pin.  I don't want to play g4 too early, but that means that white will have to play the waiting game, maybe try to get the knight to move and then go Qe4, or in the past I have played ideas like Be2 - Nh4 and gotten a reasonable game.  I just never seem to get much here and if I make too many moves on the queenside, I find I am unprepared when the center erupts.

It's also worth noting, like in any Caro-Kann, that black doesn't have to castle kingside.  Qc7 and OOO may be seen.  

It occurs to me that this looks like the sort of position that there's probably an IM Silman article about somewhere.  He loves this type of dynamic.  Any relevant links are appreciated.

Bg5 is actually a useful move because it develops a piece. After 1. Bg5 h6, the bishop retreats to d2. The first move edge is not retained because black looks like he has equalized. In other words, first move is not as important here. The plan for white is to complete development, prepare hinself for an isolani type position after black plays c5, and find the right moment to play g4. As soon as the isolani type position arises, white either figures out a time to sacrifice it or defend it. Other than that, slow improvements are key. Other ideas could involve fianchettoeing the bishop on b2 starting with b3 or c4. I would play Bg5 and wait until black commits himself to something because both sides look very solid. Find a way to create weaknesses.

I think a big part of my problem here is I've never studied isolani positions much.  Your response reminds me I gotta get on that, it will probably help me to think about these positions if I know what I can transition into from this setup.  I like the Bb2 idea as well.  

And my basis for claiming white should keep a slight advantage is the apparent strength of the c3-d4-Bd3 setup, and white having more central space.  But both sides are very solid, and I'm more accustomed to imbalanced positions.

As for Bg5, I can see the utility of it- I thought after Bg5 h6 Bd2 nothing is really gained, but there is a difference - now if black has to back up with Bg6 at any point, he'll have to weaken his structure by recapturing with the f-pawn.  So there is something to that as a starter plan.

AlFiziro, I'm not sure about that, after g4, white has weakened his kingside and black is one tempo closer to getting his bishop back into the game on a useful opposition diagonal with Bg6.  Black is happy to take hxg6 if a trade because it eliminates one of white's very strong pieces.  So unless you see a forcing line, I think it's important to be precise in playing the position.

White does want to play Ne5 at some point of course, but it has to be sufficiently prepared.

I don't see why White should be able to claim any type of edge here - Black is very solid and with ...c5 at the right moment, it's hard to believe white can get anything. It would be better to see an exact sequence rather than a generic position type as probably there are ways to improve earlier on.

I would aim to deal with the queen being pinned first, then look to get the knight to the middle and mount a kingside attack

Andrew Soltis' Pawn Structure Chess discusses this formation in its 1st chapter (and if you look it up on Amazon and use the Look Inside option, you can see the first few pages  ). TL;DR: if Black doesn't break with ...c5 or ...e5, White's extra space can lead to a crunch; a standard plan for White is to advance c4.

That said, I agree with @JamesColeman that this particular position hasn't got much going for White.

HTH

I think the position is equal. Against a weaker player you can also consider to play 1,Be2 ( to break this nasty pin )  1...Qc7 2.Ne5!?  and black has more to calculate and can go wrong. 2....Bxe2 3.Qxe2 is ok for white. thus 2....Bxe5 seems to be better then 3.Bxh5 and black has to choose from Bh2+ Bf4 Bd6 and Nxh5.  The last is allready not good becuase of dxe5! with avantage. After for examople Bh2+! 4.Kh1 black must choose again between Nxh5 Bf4 and Bd6. If he takes on h5 Qxh5 is ok and otherwise you play Bf3. There is a chance he will be behind on the clock and you will exploied that later.

Sure, here's a plausible sequence that could lead to this position, any improvements in move order are appreciated.

Yeah good points.  I've played Be2 in this position a few times, but always followed up with Nh4.  Maybe Ne5 gives black a little more to chew on and more chances for complications.  One sample line leading to a pretty equal ending is 

The light squared bishop is much better placed on the a2-g8 diagonal with 7. Bc4 instead of 7.Bd3. if black responds with bg4, white has Ne5.

Haha! may be a dramatic conclusion for move 11, a big part of chess is being able to win some games from near-equal positions