Carbon Markets

RGGI Highlights Benefits of EPA’s Clean Power Plan Proposal

RGGI’s comments on EPA’s Clean Power Plan proposal highlight the potential for state economic growth and clean energy innovation. On November 7, 2014, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) members – Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont – released a report on their comments supporting the Environmental Protection…...

California-Quebec Announce First Joint Carbon Auction

California and Quebec will hold the first carbon auction under their integrated cap-and-trade emissions trading platform on November 19. On September 18, 2014, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Quebec Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Fight against Climate Change (MDDELCC) announced the first joint carbon auction under their linked cap-and-trade program is scheduled…...

Senate Finance Committee Hearing on Energy Tax Policy Reforms

On September 17, 2014, the Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing titled “Reforming America’s Outdated Energy Tax Code” to discuss possible reforms to the U.S. energy tax policy. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) underscored the need for predictable, level playing-field tax policy that puts renewables on the same footing as other…...

RGGI Releases Results of 25th Carbon Auction

The 25th RGGI carbon auction, which marks RGGI’s sixth full year, sold allowances at $4.88 each, generating approximately $87.83M. On September 5, 2014, the nine member states of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) released results of their 25th carbon auction (Auction 25) held on September 3.  Auction 25 offered 17,998,687 allowances at a reserve…...

California and Quebec Join Carbon Markets to Minimize Compliance Burden

On August 7, 2014, California and Quebec held a successful practice joint carbon emissions allowance auction in preparation for the first ever cross-border auction on November 2014. Despite varied participation levels in Quebec’s first four auctions, activity is expected to increase with program maturity and the upcoming 2015 compliance deadline.The programs – under the Western…...

California’s Eighth Carbon Allowance Auction Results Released

California’s eighth quarterly carbon allowance auction signals a positive trend, with Advance allowance sales at 70 percent compared to 44 percent in the previous auction. On August 21, 2014, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released results of its eighth quarterly carbon allowance auction held on August 18.  CARB offered allowances under Current Auction (2014…...

Resilient Rhode Island Act Signed into Law

Rhode Island’s climate law prioritizes climate adaptation, emissions reduction, and institutional design to address climate change. The Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014 (H 7904) is the state’s first climate bill and aims to make the state economy and society resilient to the effects of a changing climate.  Signed into law on July 2, and ceremonially signed on August 1,…...

California and Mexico Sign Climate and Energy Agreements

During a Trade and Investment Mission to Mexico, California Governor Brown signed agreements with Mexico to enhance cooperation on environmental issues and encourage cross-border clean energy investments. On July 28, 2014, California Governor Edmund G. Brown, Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Rodolfo Lacy, and Mexican National Forestry Commission Director General Jorge Rescala…...

RGGI Releases Results of 24th Carbon Auction

The 24th RGGI carbon auction sold allowances at $5.02 each, generating approximately $90.67M. On June 6, 2014, the nine member states of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) released the results of their 24th carbon auction held on June 4.  Auction 24 offered 18,062,384 allowances at a reserve price of $2.00 each.  All allowances sold at…...

Supreme Court Reinstates Cross-State Air Pollution Rule

The Supreme Court upheld EPA’s air pollution rule that regulates cross-border emissions of 28 upwind states to address downwind states’ compliance with air quality standards. On April 29, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR), reversing an August 2012 decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals…...