Comment Log Display

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 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. 
Note that 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. 
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.