Cap-and-Trade - KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News

Cap-and-Trade

CENTRAL COAST - AB 32 was passed by voters and signed into law in 2006. The law requires California to return to its 1990 Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels by the year 2020. Under the law, the Cap-and-Trade system allows Greenhouse Gas Producers to trade emission allowances to find the least costly emission reduction strategies.

Dr. Kevin Kennedy of the Air Resources Board says, "The idea there is that the hard cap ensures emission reductions, but there is flexibility in the program. That the people covered by it can actually trade amongst themselves to seek out the most cost effective emission reductions to meet the goals."

The idea proposed, would be to trade internationally, with certain regions or nations around the world. This would allow Greenhouse Gas Producers to acquire additional credits in exchange for helping countries with forest protection.

According to doctors involved with the project, the Cap-and-Trade Program is a necessary step in the long road to reach the required emission levels and streamlining efforts across the globe.

Dr. Kennedy continues, "If we are going to deal with the global problem of climate change, we need to make serious progress on an international basis on deforestation and forest management in the tropical forest."