California Extends Cap And Trade Program Angering Some Environmentalists

FEATURING ADAM SCOW – The state of California on Monday voted to extend its cap-and-trade program until 2030, leading Governor Jerry Brown to declare a major victory and claim credit for making progress on climate change.

The bill, AB 398, was also supported by Democratic Senate president Kevin De Leon, one of the more progressive lawmakers, as well as some Republicans.

The cap-and-trade program essentially imposes a cap on carbon emissions in the nation’s most populous state, enabling corporations to buy and sell the rights to pollute.

While the measure is being reported as a major success for climate justice, particularly when compared to the inaction and even regressive climate measures at the federal level, it turns out not all environmental groups are happy. Food and Water Watch along with a number of leading environmental organizations have denounced the extension of cap-and-trade calling it “an industry giveaway.”

For more information go to www.foodandwaterwatch.org.

Adam Scow, California Director of Food & Water Watch.