Climate Policy in California
California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, or AB-32, requires the state to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. SB-32 was enacted in 2016, extending the requirement to achieve a reduction in GHG emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.
Three Decades of Cap and Trade
Read about cap-and-trade programs in California and at the federal level.
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The AHEAD Project
Explore this project that assesses climate policies in California and Germany.
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Testimony and Public Comments — Oct 24, 2019
Comments on the Use of Renewable Energy Credits to Determine the Fuel Mix and GHG-Intensity of Power
Comments submitted to the California Energy Commission regarding proposed modifications to the Power Source Disclosure program
Report — Apr 23, 2019
The Response of Market and Policy Design to Increasing Shares of Renewables in California and Germany
Read about lessons learned from two leading jurisdictions in transforming electricity systems to accommodate the integration of renewables.
Media Highlight — Mar 20, 2019
As Carbon Pricing Proposals Multiply, What's the Right Carbon Price?
Testimony and Public Comments — Oct 24, 2019
Comments on the Use of Renewable Energy Credits to Determine the Fuel Mix and GHG-Intensity of Power
Comments submitted to the California Energy Commission regarding proposed modifications to the Power Source Disclosure program
Report — Apr 23, 2019
The Response of Market and Policy Design to Increasing Shares of Renewables in California and Germany
Read about lessons learned from two leading jurisdictions in transforming electricity systems to accommodate the integration of renewables.
Working Paper — Nov 30, 2018
GHG Cap-and-Trade: Implications for Effective and Efficient Climate Policy in Oregon
In this paper, we evaluate Oregon’s proposed GHG cap-and-trade system and consider its implications for other climate policies Oregon has already adopted.
Workshop/Seminar — Dec 3, 2018
New Research Questions on Electricity, Transportation, and Carbon Markets: What Stands in the Way Becomes the Way
Workshop/Seminar — Jan 23, 2018
California’s Climate Action: Leadership from the States
This event provided insights into California’s commitment to tackling climate change and protecting its natural environment.
Webinar — Jul 18, 2017
The Future of California’s Cap-and-Trade Program: Policy Choices and Implications for Cross-Border Linkage
On July 18, experts hosted an interactive online panel discussion about the proposed features of these competing pathways for the California cap-and-trade program, what modifications or amendments may be considered as they work through the legislative process, potential implications for the California carbon market, and the potential effects on linkage with the programs in Quebec, Ontario, and other jurisdictions that might consider linkage in the future.
Media Highlight — Mar 20, 2019
As Carbon Pricing Proposals Multiply, What's the Right Carbon Price?
Media Highlight — Jan 12, 2018
No Longer Termed a ‘Failure,’ California’s Cap-and-Trade Program Faces a New Critique: Is It Too Successful?
Media Highlight — Jul 25, 2017
GOP Backing For California Cap-And-Trade Expansion Key To Durability
A Key Moment for California Climate Policy
The past year has been a crucial time in international climate negotiations. In December, 2015, in Paris, negotiators established an agreement on t...
States Can't Take the Credit, But They Do Matter
In America, the story goes, states lead on climate policy and the federal government follows. That argument is probably overstated a bit today, but...
Cap and Trade in California: Cost Management
California’s cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas emissions took effect in January 2013, and as the period of enforcement unfolds, both regulat...