The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released its draft Scoping Plan “for achieving the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from sources or categories of sources of greenhouse gases.” Required by California’s Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), this Scoping

Plan is designed to chart the course that California will follow for reducing its emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

The heart of the Scoping Plan is the discussion of recommended emission reduction measures, which are specific steps in virtually all sectors of the economy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Scoping Plan contemplates three general types of measures: (1) a cap-andtrade market based program; (2) so-called “transformational” measures that fundamentally alter the existing regulatory framework, such as implementation of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard or reforming the land use and transportation planning processes to account for climate change; and (3) measures that address barriers that cannot be overcome via a market approach, such as a lack of

information or coordination.

Noteworthy is the featured recommendation of a cap-and-trade program, particularly since the use of such a program is available, but not required, under AB 32.

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