Comment Log Display

Thank you 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 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 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.

Clearly parts of the proposal are strong, such as setting a limit
that declines each year, and setting a minimum price on carbon
pollution. This steady price signal will help businesses make
long-term investments in strategies to reduce global warming
emissions. 

However, I could not recommend more strongly 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, massively
increasing public transit options, and developing wind and solar
projects as a priority in California.