Common Resources

California’s New Gold

California is preparing itself for an influx of billions of dollars in new government revenue. The money is slated to come from auctioning tradable emissions allowances generated under the state’s cap-and-trade program, which is set to launch next year. Those interested in California’s cap-and-trade program are paying particular interest to this anticipated revenue. The auction […]

Allowance Allocation and John Locke

An Associated Press “Fact Check” on statements from President Obama and Mitt Romney looks at the president’s claims that Republicans have abandoned their support for market-based solutions to environmental problems: But in recent years, cap and trade failed when Democrats controlled the Senate and the House. Moreover, Republicans argued the legislation was not a truly […]

California Delays Cap And Trade: No Big Deal

California has decided to delay the implementation of its CO2 cap-and-trade program by one year until 2013. The state had previously planned to begin the first three-year compliance period in 2012. The first compliance period will now be shortened to two years and the emissions reduction targets remain on track. The initial allocation of emissions […]

Three Responses To U.S. Cap And Trade Troubles

It’s been a bad month for cap and trade. Governor Chris Christie has decided to pull New Jersey out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), the Northeast’s carbon cap-and-trade program. New Hampshire’s legislature has also voted to leave, though the governor may veto the bill. Other states are considering their positions. As states leave […]

RFF Research Cited in CBO Analysis of Climate Policy Regional Effects

The Congressional Budget Office cited research from RFF in a letter sent yesterday to ranking Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Republican, James Inhofe (R-OK). In the letter, CBO Director Douglas Elemendorf highlights analysis from Dallas Burtraw, Richard Sweeney and Margaret Walls on the effects of a $20.91/ton price on carbon emissions in various regions […]

What Electricity Sector Allocations Could Mean for Households

The introduction of a cap-and-trade program for carbon dioxide emissions could have important effects on households. Changes in the electricity sector are especially important because nearly 40 percent of emissions come from this sector and a majority of emissions reductions are expected to come from this sector in the early decades of a program.   […]

Former RFF Scholar Outlines Treasury Role in Cap and Trade

Treasury Department Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy and Environment William Pizer said Wednesday his office will play a critical role in designing a domestic emissions trading system, according to Greenwire’s Nathanial Gronewold. Pizer, a former RFF senior fellow, told a carbon market conference in Washington D.C. the United States will learn from the mistakes of […]