Another California First: the End of the Carbon Externality for Motorists

"Companies spent more than $1 billion in California’s latest sale of carbon emissions credits, making it the largest auction since the controversial cap-and-trade program began in late 2012, state officials said (Feb. 25)," writes business and economics reporter, Dale Kasler for The Sacramento Bee.

The reason: State officials dramatically expanded the pool of credits for sale to accommodate a surge in demand. That became necessary because the cap-and-trade market has been broadened since Jan. 1 to cover the carbon coming from motor vehicle tailpipes.

One credit = allowance to emit one ton of carbon. In other words, the "carbon externality" is history in California thanks to the only state cap-and-trade program in the United States. One clarification: the carbon charge is paid by wholesale fuel suppliers who presumably pass on the charge (derided by opponents who called it a 'hidden gas tax'), about a dime a gallon, to fuel retailers.

Kasler describes the mechanics of the February 18 carbon auction. The Air Resources Board "dramatically increased the volume of available credits...to limit the impact on consumers." Consequently, the price was in line with prior auctions: $12.10 per credit.

Quebec now in California program: "Last week’s auction was the second sale held jointly with the Canadian province of Quebec," writes Kasler. "Credits purchased in California can be used to emit carbon in Quebec, and vice versa."

The California program differs from Washington State proposal: As noted here and here, Gov. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) proposed a carbon tax to pay for transportation infrastructure. However it would be applied to industrial, not tailpipe emissions. It also differs from the California program where revenue from the sale of carbon allowances are required to be spent on programs to reduce carbon emissions, e.g., high speed rail, public transit, and the new Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program.

Writing on another carbon pricing strategy proposed for Oregon, the carbon tax, or more specifically, the carbon tax and dividend, Streetsblog's Angie Schmitt describes the plan proposed by Oregon Climate that would tax "wholesale fossil-fuel transactions" and rebate all revenue to citizens rather than applying it to carbon-reducing activities as is done in California. "The carbon tax would need to secure a majority of the popular vote and 60 percent of the state legislature to be enacted," she notes in a correction.

Hat tip to [email protected]Climate Plan.