California lawmakers to decide on extending key climate program and boosting grid reliability

Source: The Independent

Saturday 13 September 2025 02:03 EDT


The fate of a key California climate program Gov. Gavin Newsom has championed as a crucial tool to respond to the Trump administration's environmental rollbacks is in the hands of state lawmakers. The Democrat-dominated Legislature is slated to vote Saturday on whether to extend the state's cap-and-trade program, which is set to expire after 2030.

The program, which launched in 2013, allows major greenhouse gas emitters to buy emission allowances from the state, with fewer available over time. Revenues fund climate change mitigation, affordable housing and transportation projects, as well as utility bill credits for Californians.

Newsom, a Democrat, and legislative leaders, who said months ago they would prioritize reauthorizing the program, almost ran out of time to introduce the proposal before the statehouse wraps for the year. “After months of hard work with the Legislature, we have agreed to historic reforms that will save money on your electric bills, stabilize gas supply, and slash toxic air pollution — all while fast-tracking California’s transition to a clean, green job-creating economy,” Newsom said after striking the deal this week.

The proposal would reauthorize the program through 2045, better align the declining cap on emissions with the state's climate targets and potentially boost carbon removal projects. It would also change the name to “cap and invest" to emphasize its funding of climate programs.

Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/california-gavin-newsom-legislature-sacramento-trump-b2825817.html