CA: ARB passes final regulations for cap-and-trade program

After months of CEQA litigation and political lobbying, including an appeal to the California Supreme Court (previous article can be found here), California's landmark climate change bill, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 ("AB 32"), has been modified and appears ready to be implemented starting in January 2012.

AB 32 cap and trade in California on hold until 2013

Facing continued litigation, California officials will delay enforcement of the state's carbon-trading program until 2013, state Air Resources Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols announced Wednesday.

The delay in the cap-and-trade program, slated to take effect in January, is proposed because of the "need for all necessary elements to be in place and fully functional," she said.

California bounces back after judge orders AB 32 review

California’s carbon markets have responded positively to a San Francisco judge’s ruling that ordered further analysis from the California Air Resources Board (ARB) on alternatives to the state’s cap-and-trade scheme, say brokers.

On Monday, the ARB appealed the decision and the office of the state attorney general simultaneously issued a stay to allow the agency to continue preparations for the scheme while the case is with the appeal court.

CA groundbreaking climate law put on hold

A San Francisco superior court judge has put California's sweeping plan to curb greenhouse gas pollution on hold, saying the state did not adequately evaluate alternatives to its cap-and-trade program.

In a 35-page decision, Judge Ernest H. Goldsmith said the Air Resources Board had failed to consider public comments on the proposed measures before adopting the plan, which affects a broad swath of the state's economy.

CARB flexes its quasi-legislative powers; declares 33 percent renewable energy by 2020

After Senate Bill 722, a measure aimed at increasing the states renewable portfolio standard (RPS) failed to pass the California legislature last month, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has taken matters into its own hands.  The board unanimously voted last week to set a new standard that mandates 33 percent of the state’s energy be renewable by 2020.