California Cap-and-Trade Overhaul and Extension Emphasizes Dividend and Equity

• "The first and largest is the California Climate Dividend Program, which will rebate revenue on a per-capita basis. The bill also establishes a Climate Dividend Access Board (CDAB) that will work with low-income and immigration groups to make sure the dividends reach everyone, even in vulnerable communities.
• "The second bucket is for 'public infrastructure investments and investments in disadvantaged communities.'(Vulnerable communities receive roughly 40 percent of current carbon revenue.) 
• "The third is for 'climate and clean energy research and development.'”

According to James Temple, senior editor for energy at MIT Technology Review, "[a]round 90 percent of the revenue from the program, which would raise several billion dollars annually and climb steadily over time, would go back to California citizens in the form of a "climate dividend rebate."  

Two other noteworthy aspects of the legislation deal with carbon prices and elimination of controversial "carbon offsets, which allow companies to emit more carbon dioxide if they invest in green projects elsewhere, such as a tree-planting carbon sequestration scheme," adds Temple.

Erica Morehouse of the Environmental Defense Funds argues that "California’s cap-and-trade program doesn't need an overhaul."

Rather than scrapping the current system and starting over with an unproven approach, the state should build on success, keeping what is working well while strengthening the program by doing more to address local air pollution and environmental justice.

Support from environmental justice groups

The California Climate Equity Coalition, led by The Greenlining Institute, the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Public Advocates, Coalition for Clean Air and SCOPE was "encouraged by the ambitious direction of SB 775 (Wieckowski) that will put a higher price on carbon, more effectively reduce greenhouse gas pollution, and create more market certainty," according to their press release. 

CCEC believes policies addressing climate change must prioritize the communities hit first and worst by pollution, poverty and climate change. We hope that SB 775 will create stability in revenues for investments that benefit underserved communities and households

Two-thirds supermajority needed

Like the bill last month that hiked gas taxes 12 cents per-gallon, proponents hope to pass SB 775 with a two-thirds supermajority to avoid the litigation that plagued the current program, beginning with its first carbon credit auction. Gov. Jerry Brown expressed optimism that a deal could be reached this year, according to E&E News reporter, Debra Kahn.

 "I'll tell you why we have a very good chance. The money that comes from cap and trade, 50 percent of it benefits disadvantaged communities.

The bill's author, Sen. Bob Wieckowski, summed-up the essence of his bill in his statement to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee at its oversight hearing on May 10:

We need to implement a price collar to prevent the cost of carbon from skyrocketing, gradually increase the price to reduce emissions and spark innovation,  and give back a climate dividend to California residents. 

These components, along with a two-thirds vote to reduce the threat of a Prop. 26 legal challenge, are all key components of SB 775.”