| December 11, 2008 |  |
California Global Warming Plan Will Boost Economy, Set Precedents
But Cap-And-Trade Program Needs Improvement
BERKELEY (December 11, 2008) — The implementation plan passed today by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for the state's landmark global warming law will boost the state's economy and set important precedents for other states and the federal government, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
"California is at a crossroads," said Erin Rogers, UCS's Western states climate campaign manager. "We're facing a tough economy, oil addiction and global warming. Today, the state took a major step in the right direction, addressing all three issues by adopting a plan to move us toward a cleaner, more efficient, and more prosperous economy."
Rogers said the scoping plan includes a major improvement to a draft provision detailing how the state will participate in the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) regional cap-and-trade system. The scoping plan now states California will emphasize auctioning allowances rather than giving them away to polluters for free and "transition to 100 percent auction."
In previous meetings, board members have expressed concerns about allowing polluters to rely too much on offsets. Offsets are credits that polluters in capped sectors can buy based on estimated reductions made by offset providers in uncapped sectors. Today, the board instructed CARB staff to analyze the effects of limiting offsets. Rogers said limiting offsets can ensure that a cap-and-trade system maximizes reductions in toxic pollution in the state as well as renewable energy development.
"The cap-and-trade program will need to be significantly strengthened to be effective," Rogers said. "But overall, the climate plan is a model for other states and the federal government. The vast majority of the pollution reductions come from smart, innovative policies that will promote renewable energy, recycling, efficiency and cleaner cars and trucks."
CARB also committed to boost the percentage of the state's electricity generated from clean, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power to 33 percent. A 33-percent renewable energy standard would set a new national precedent. When the standard is codified by the state legislature, it will be the most far-reaching renewable energy standard in the country.
Finally, CARB plans to study the benefits of a feebate program, which would establish one-time rebates and surcharges on new passenger cars and light trucks based on the amount of global warming pollution they emit. CARB's stance on feebates is "visionary," Rogers said, "and hopefully it will prod other states and even the federal government to consider a similar program."
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
