Just as California’s Climate Change legislation AB 32 is getting ready to be implemented, some Bay Area environmental justice groups have filed a motion against the Air Resource Board, concerned that the legislation might make situations worse for low-income and minority communities:
“AB 32 requires 360 businesses representing more than 600 facilities to limit greenhouse gas pollution or purchase offsets through a market-based system. The cap-and-trade program, which was approved by the board in December, allows companies that don’t meet their emission limits to offset the pollution by buying a carbon credit, or a promise to reduce pollution elsewhere. The carbon offsets currently allowed in the cap-and-trade system can come from projects located in other states, and in some cases, in Mexico.
“Groups that represent low-income and minority communities argue that allowing a company to purchase offsets elsewhere while continuing to pollute in its current location can actually make the situation worse.” Click here to read more.
[Photo by Pascal]
