California Releases Proposed Cap-and-Trade Regulation
On October 28, 2010, the California Air Resource Board ("CARB") announced the release of its proposed greenhouse gas cap and trade regulation as part of the state's commitment to the Western Climate Initiative ("WCI"). British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba plan to join California and several other states in the launch of the WCI cap and trade market in 2012.
A key part of CARB's AB 32 Scoping Plan, the cap-and-trade program provides an overall limit on the emissions from sources responsible for 85% of California's greenhouse gas emissions. The release begins a 45-day public comment period culminating in a December 16, 2010 public hearing at which CARB will consider adopting the proposed program.
