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Cap-and-Trade
This page last reviewed January 26, 2010
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Background
The AB 32 Scoping Plan identifies a cap-and-trade program as one of the main strategies California will employ to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that cause climate change. This program will help put California on the path to meet its goal of reducing GHG emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020, and ultimately achieving an 80% reduction from 1990 levels by 2050. Under cap-and-trade, an overall limit on GHG emissions from capped sectors will be established by the cap-and-trade program and facilities subject to the cap will be able to trade permits (allowances) to emit GHGs.The California Air Resources Board (ARB) will work with stakeholders to design a California cap-and-trade program that is enforceable and meets the requirements of AB 32, including the need to consider any potential impacts on disproportionately impacted communities. Consistent with AB 32, ARB must adopt the cap-and-trade regulation by January 1, 2011, and the program itself must begin in 2012.
California is working closely with six other western states and four Canadian provinces through the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) to design a regional cap-and-trade program that can deliver GHG emission reductions within the region at costs lower than could be realized through a California-only program. To that end, the ARB rule development schedule is being coordinated with the WCI timeline for development of a regional cap-and-trade program.
If you would like to participate during future meetings, or get future workgroup announcements, please signup with ARB's Cap and Trade Email Listserver.
Design Elements of the Cap-and-Trade Program
Rulemaking Information
- Preliminary Draft Regulation (PDR)
- Submit Comments
- Public Meetings
- View all comments
- Rulemaking Schedule (Coming Soon)
- Workshops and Meetings (Coming Soon)