Assembly Democrats Propose Cap-And-Trade Extension

Days after Governor Jerry Brown called for an extension of California’s signature greenhouse gas reduction program and threatened to withhold money it generates until that happens, Assembly Democrats introduced legislation.

The cap-and-trade program has generated billions of dollars for the state by creating credits, which companies must buy to allow their emissions.

But the program is set to expire in 2020 and also faces a lawsuit challenging its legality.

This week, Governor Brown proposed withholding future cap-and-trade dollars until lawmakers extend the program with two-thirds majority votes that could clear up the legal issues.

The bill is one-sentence. It gives regulators authority to continue the program past 2020.

Most noteworthy is one of the authors—Assemblyman Jim Cooper is a leader of a bloc of moderate Democrats in the Assembly, many of whom did not support the program’s extension last year.