SACRAMENTO, Calif. — State lawmakers have approved a 10-year extension for California’s cap-and-trade program. Cap and trade requires companies to buy permits to release greenhouse gas emissions. The legislation approved Monday, AB 398, will continue the program until 2030.
“Republicans and Democrats set aside their differences, came together and took courageous action,” Gov. Jerry Brown said in a statement before holding a celebratory bipartisan press conference in the Capitol. “That’s what good government looks like.”
Calling this an important milestone in combating climate change, Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) said, “Today’s vote on AB 398 to extend Cap and Trade marks an important milestone in the fight against climate change. A month ago, the President pulled our country out of the historic Paris Agreement. Today, we Californians – creators of the world’s sixth largest economy – have taken unequivocal control of our state’s future.
“Without this extension, California would have been in serious danger of failing to meet our ambitious, world-leading climate goals. It would have sent a message to others – such as Oregon and cities in Canada, which are following our example – that California’s commitment to leadership on climate change is crumbling.
“A companion measure, AB 617, will result in cleaner air for our local communities. This is especially important for families who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods on the front lines of the battle against air pollution, such as those in Barrio Logan, who have been disproportionately affected by childhood and adult asthma.
“As Speaker of the Assembly, I led the effort to funnel a percentage of Cap and Trade funds toward transit-oriented affordable housing projects – and the Sustainable Communities set-aside has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars to help stabilize struggling families during the past few years. By extending Cap and Trade, we’re giving the Sustainable Communities program a chance to grow and thrive.”
Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) called the decision a historic moment for California, “For the first time, we are linking our air quality goals to a climate program and increasing air pollution penalties that have not changed since the 1970s. We will require facilities operating with outdated emissions control technology to upgrade their equipment. And California will be able to connect to cap and trade programs in other states and nations, which will expand our carbon trading market.
“I’ve had significant concerns about giveaways to the oil industry in this package. I voted for a more progressive cap and trade bill that failed (AB 378), and hoped to vote for a different version today. However, I am certain – as indicated by the support of many environmental groups such as the League of Conservation Voters, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Defense Fund and NextGen Climate – that this was the only deal that could garner the supermajority support needed to extend cap and trade.
“The consequences of walking away from the cap and trade program far outweigh those of voting for an imperfect deal. While this was not an easy decision, this package represents real, tangible progress on the most important issue for future generations.”
