Business, Labor and Public Leaders Support Cap-and-Trade Program as Part of California's Climate Change Policy.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Noting the release of a draft report today by the California Market Advisory Committee (MAC), business, labor and public leaders represented by the California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance (CCEEB) came out in broad support for a greenhouse gas (GHG) cap-and-trade program as part of California's climate change regulatory framework.

In its draft report, the MAC outlines the benefits of a cap-and-trade system for curbing GHG emissions and recommends principles by which the Air Resources Board (ARB) might evaluate specific policy options. The MAC is an advisory committee and officially disbands July 1, 2007; the Air Board has sole responsibility for implementing AB 32 and for deciding whether or not to include a cap-and-trade proposal as part of the overall regulatory framework.

"Cal/EPA Secretary Adams assembled a world-class group of experts. We thank the committee for contributing their time and tremendous talents to California's future and to our fight against climate change," said CCEEB President Gerald D. Secundy.

"What's really impressive about this committee is the scope and credibility of their expertise. Among them, we have national environmental advocates and scientists, all of whom understand energy, air pollution and technology change. Several members have also worked on environmental justice policy. Not many people anywhere in the world hold these types of qualifications, and we have some of the best here."

CCEEB also notes that the MAC members are tied into other efforts around the country and the globe. Secundy continued by saying, "In order for California to be a global leader, as is the real intention behind AB 32, we must keep our eye on these partner programs and look for opportunities to link to them. Although a California-goes-it-alone approach may tackle air pollution, it won't dent climate change. This is a global problem with serious global ramifications if we don't act now."

"Governor Schwarzenegger deserves credit, too, for listening to leading research institutes such as the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, and the Pew Center on Global Climate Changes, and for recognizing that market-based approaches have a role to play in reaching our ambitious climate change goals. Now it is up to the rest of us to thoughtfully review and discuss the MAC report, and to broaden the dialogue."

"We feel it is important to do our part, but know that much of the costs will be borne taxpayers, ratepayers and consumers. California needs to develop regulations that get the most out of our investments, and that are efficient and effective in achieving real emissions reductions. Markets can provide a tool to achieve the maximum possible environmental benefits and spur new innovations, with the least impact to California's economy and individual pocketbooks."

CCEEB looks forward to reviewing the specific recommendations of the report and commenting to the MAC at its public meeting on June 12, 2007.

The MAC report is available for download here: http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/events/2007-06-12_mac_meeting/2007-06- 01_MAC_DRAFT_REPORT.PDF. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

ABOUT CCEEB: The California Council for Environmental and Economic Balance is a statewide, private, nonprofit, nonpartisan association founded by the late Governor Edmund G. "Pat" Brown in 1973. CCEEB believes that a healthy environment and a sound economy go hand-in-hand, and plays an active role in statewide environmental and economic policy development.