Briefing Invitation
Thursday, October 4, 2007
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
EPW Hearing Room (Senate Dirksen Rm. 406)
California’s Climate Program: Lessons for Federal Action
The California Institute for Federal Policy Research in partnership with the University of California, California’s Governors office, and Air Resources Board invite you to a luncheon briefing on California’s greenhouse gas policies. In fall of 2006, California enacted the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32), which established a comprehensive program aimed at reducing California’s greenhouse gas emissions. Since then, California has passed several early action policy measures, commissioned several detailed policy reports, and held hundreds of meetings, workshops, and seminars on the subject. This briefing and facilitated Q&A by a distinguished panel will provide an update on these activities with a specific focus on items relevant to federal policy makers.
Opening Remarks: Senator Barbara Boxer – Chair, Senate Environment and Public Works
Panel Discussion:
– Mary Nichols – Chair of the Air Resources Board (ARB)
– Brian Prusnek – Deputy Cabinet Secretary, Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
– Alex Farrell – UC Professor and Co-director "A Low Carbon Fuel Standard for California" reports
– Dallas Burtraw – Market Advisory Committee
– Anthony Eggert (Moderator) – Energy Policy Advisor, University of California
California’s Climate Program – Overview
This session will outline the California Climate Program including the major state laws (AB32, GHG Tailpipe Emissions Standards, etc.), regulatory structure, and implementation plans. There will be specific focus on issues likely to confront federal agencies implementing a national program. For more information on California’s Climate program see: http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/index.html .
Market Advisory Committee Report
The Market Advisory Committee (MAC) is an internationally esteemed panel commissioned by the Secretary of the California EPA to make recommendations on the design of a cap and trade program for greenhouse gas emissions. Their report, issued in June of 2007, provides specific recommendations on issues such as scope of the program, point of regulation, allowance strategy, offsets, and cost control mechanisms. This session will focus on their recommendations that may be directly relevant to a federal cap and trade program. For more, see: http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/policies/market_advisory.html .
Low Carbon Fuel Standard
The LCFS seeks to provide industry with the appropriate structure and incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels at the lowest cost and fastest pace by harnessing market competition and preserving consumer choice. One of the first early action items under California’s Global Warming Solutions Act, the LCFS has received significant national and international attention and support including bills from Sens. Boxer and Feinstein as well as Sens. Sanders, Collins, Snowe, Lieberman, Obama, Harkin and Rep. Inslee. A similar program is being considered by the European Commission and in several U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Panelists will discuss the recently released University of California LCFS policy report which includes recommendations relevant to a potential federal program. For more information see: http://www.energy.ca.gov/low_carbon_fuel_standard/index.html .
To attend the October 4 briefing, please email the California Institute at [email protected] or call 202-974-6384 (acceptances only, thank you). Please note that the California Institute is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit that does not lobby or employ lobbyists, and that this event will be widely-attended.
When reserving, please indicate whether you plan to attend the 10 am Senate briefing in 408 Dirksen, or the 12:00 noon House luncheon briefing in B-369, or both events. Thank you.
