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ARTICLE · 21 DECEMBER 2010

California Approves Nation's Largest Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Program

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Yesterday evening, after more than ten hours of testimony and debate (including an impromptu appearance by Governor Schwarzenegger), the California Air Resources Board ("CARB") approved a cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

United StatesEnvironment
Jeffrey C. Fort
Jeffrey C. Fort
Darry Sragow
Darry Sragow
Nicholas Yost
Nicholas Yost
Matthew Adams
Matthew Adams
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Yesterday evening, after more than ten hours of testimony and debate (including an impromptu appearance by Governor Schwarzenegger), the California Air Resources Board ("CARB") approved a cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The new program covers sources accounting for more than 80% of California's GHG emissions, and is the largest program of its type in the United States.

The program will be implemented in phases, beginning in 2012. The first phase of the program (2012 to 2015) covers electricity generation and industrial sources emitting more than 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent GHGs (MTCO2e) per year. In 2015, the program will be significantly expanded to cover emissions from transportation fuels, natural gas, propane, and other fossil fuels.

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