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California’s Cap-and-Trade Program: Frequently Asked Questions


Brief

Assessing California's Climate Policies—The 2022 Scoping Plan Update

January 4, 2023 - This brief evaluates the California Air Resources Board's plan for achieving statewide 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Handout

[PDF] The Cap-and-Trade Program: Issues for Legislative Consideration

February 13, 2024 - Presented to: Senate Environmental Quality Committee Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy

Report

[PDF] Cap-and-Trade Extension: Issues for Legislative Oversight

December 12, 2017 - In this report, we (1) provide background information on cap‑and‑trade and the recent extension of the program to 2030, (2) identify key administrative implementation decisions that could affect program outcomes and the need for legislative oversight, (3) identify potential opportunities to increase the effectiveness of a new advisory committee created by AB 398, and (4) describe potential state cap‑and‑trade revenue scenarios through 2030.

Report

[PDF] Assessing California’s Climate Policies: Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization

May 7, 2025 - This report is intended to help inform legislative decision-making around reauthorization of the cap-and-trade program. It is submitted pursuant to Chapter 135 of 2017 (AB 398, Garcia), which requires our office to report annually on the economic impacts and benefits of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.

Handout

[PDF] The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: Current Status and Choices Ahead

April 30, 2025 - Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy and Transportation

Handout

[PDF] Cap-and-Trade Spending Overview

March 30, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy

Report

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—An Overview

December 21, 2018 - Chapter 135 of 2017 (AB 398, E. Garcia) requires our office to annually report on the economic impacts and benefits of California’s statutory greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals—statewide emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. This report provides a conceptual overview of the potential economic effects of policies intended to help meet these goals—both positive and negative—as well as identifies some key issues for the Legislature to consider when designing and evaluating state climate policies. In a companion report, Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Transportation, we provide more detailed information and comments on the state’s major policies aimed at reducing emissions from the transportation sector.

Post

Summary of Major 2022 Climate and Energy Legislation

January 6, 2023 - This post provides an overview of newly enacted legislation addressing the state's greenhouse gas emissions and clean energy goals, energy sources, and oil and gas extraction policies.

Handout

[PDF] Assessing California’s Climate Policies—The 2022 Scoping Plan Update

March 1, 2023 - Presented to: Senate Environmental Quality Committee Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Assembly Committee on Natural Resources

Handout

[PDF] 2017-18 Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan

August 23, 2017 - Presented to Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation

Handout

[PDF] 2017-18 Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan

August 24, 2017 - Presented to Senate Budget and Fiscal Review, Subcommittee No. 2

Handout

[PDF] Cap-and-Trade Program: Key Choices Ahead

May 8, 2025 - Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy and Senate Environmental Quality Committee

Handout

[PDF] Cap-and-Trade Extension: Issues for Legislative Oversight

May 24, 2018 - Presented to Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies