Comment Log Display

    First of all, I would like to thank state officials for taking
global warming seriously and developing a plan to reduce global
warming pollution while at the same time creating jobs and making
California a healthier and more prosperous place to live. The
current proposed program will decrease global warming emissions
from the state’s largest polluters and establish a market price on
these emissions. This program is one of many policies CARB
(California Air Resources Board) is using to reach the state’s goal
of reducing global warming emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, along
with renewable energy, energy efficiency, and cleaner
transportation standards.
    I am content that the current proposal is strong and sets
limits that decline each year and sets a minimum price on carbon
pollution. This steady price signal will help businesses make
long-term investments in strategies to reduce global warming
emissions.
    Finally, I would like to recommend that the program be
strengthened by requiring more of the state’s largest polluters to
pay for their global warming emissions instead of giving permits
away for free. By forcing polluters to pay for the emissions they
generate by purchasing permits in an auction, we can then re-invest
the auction funds into efforts that will help us transition to a
cleaner economy and help lower energy costs for Californians—such
as making homes and businesses more energy efficient, increasing
public transit options, and developing wind and solar projects in
California.
    Thank you for taking the time to read my comments.  I look
forward to many more decisions and actions by our government that
will help us strive toward a healthier state, and a healthier
planet.