California’s elected leaders showed that even with deep partisan divides fissuring Washington, D.C., Democrats and Republicans can still come together on policy that makes environmental and economic sense.
California lawmakers made history by passing two bills: Assembly Bill 398, which extends the state’s cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas emissions until 2030, and AB617, which provides regulators with better tools to improve air quality. Together, the bills affirm California’s place at the forefront of global efforts to fight climate change and protect public health.
This effort follows on more than a decade of successful climate leadership.
In 2006, California took a bold step to reduce climate-altering pollution and promote clean energy in response to the federal government’s inaction. State lawmakers adopted AB32, which established a market-based system that set limits on carbon dioxide emissions, among other remedies for our warming planet.
It was a watershed moment. Since then, California has marched toward a low-carbon future, sharply cutting emissions while producing the fastest-growing economy among the states.
Like any legislation, the cap-and-trade bill required compromises to reach the necessary two-thirds supermajority threshold. Indeed, many legislators from both parties spoke eloquently during floor debates about the soul-searching they did when deciding how to vote.
For my organization, Environmental Defense Fund, we focused on one essential question: Will this proposal protect public health, our climate and our planet? The answer is yes, unequivocally.
That’s because the cap-and-trade program is a powerful tool. It sets a declining limit, or cap, on carbon dioxide emissions for virtually all sectors of California’s economy, while allowing each business to decide whether it is more cost-effective to reduce its pollution or buy excess allowances from other companies that do not need them.
The market encourages industry to reduce pollution at the lowest possible cost, making deeper emissions cuts possible. It also promotes innovation by rewarding development of more effective, cleaner technologies. Not surprisingly, California has attracted more than 40 percent of all U.S. clean tech investment over the past decade.
Under cap and trade, California is on track to meet its goal of reducing climate-altering pollution to 1990 levels by 2020. The extension will be critical to helping the state meet its next target: a further 40 percent reduction by 2030, one of the most ambitious in the world.
California’s cap-and-trade program is now secured through at least 2030, and will help drive the emissions cuts needed to meet the state’s target, while holding polluters accountable for their emissions.
In addition to helping California meet its climate goals, the package will bring cleaner air to the state. AB617 will help communities by increasing monitoring and imposing stricter penalties on polluters.
The new tools will help cut smog, soot and other harmful pollutants from the air. These pollutants can cause asthma attacks, heart disease and premature death. Children are particularly vulnerable because their lungs are still developing.
Taken together, these bills are good news for clean air and for the future of the planet. Once again, California is leading the way — demonstrating to Washington and the rest of the world that fighting carbon pollution is the right thing for our health, economy and future.
Fred Krupp is president of the Environmental Defense Fund.
