Comment Log Display

 On November 20, CARB will consider the elements of this plan, and
YOU can still tell them how to make the plan better until noon Nov.
19. As written, the plan calls for more than one-fifth of the
reductions to come from a “cap-and-trade” system that will let
polluters trade permits for putting out greenhouse gases. The
proposal leaves open the chance the state will give away these
emission allowances for free, even though the pollution they allow
can hurt Californians. Further, the proposed plan would allow
polluters to meet half of these emissions caps by buying “offsets”
– essentially buying their way out of complying with state law by
paying others to reduce their global warming pollution. This could
not only worsen air pollution in our most polluted communities, but
would discourage development of clean energy technologies in
California.

Thank you for your hard work so far envisioning a plan to
implement the Global Warming Solutions Act. I have a few requests
that I believe will make this plan even stronger. I hope you will
consider them during your meeting. -         Please auction off all
emission allowances. Program revenues should go toward GHG
reduction programs, such as clean technologies, green jobs, and aid
for low-income consumers and small businesses to reduce their
utility bills. -         Please work to reduce the role of offsets
in the Plan. Providing too many offsets encourages continuing
emissions in low-income neighborhoods and in defenseless habitats,
and weakens the demand for clean energy technology innovation.
Limiting offsets will create more clean-energy jobs, stimulating
our state’s economy.-           Please increase the targets for
local governments to reduce emissions caused by poorly planned
growth that drives up vehicle miles travelled. -          Please
require businesses to recycle their materials. We have a chance to
make California even better as we address one of the worst crises
our planet has ever faced. Strong CARB policies will help our
state’s residents realize some of the benefits we will receive by
taking on global warming pollution: reduced air pollution, more
clean-energy jobs, less waste and healthier communities. Thanks
again for your work on behalf of clean air for California.