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California Launches Cap and Trade Program with First Auction
The controversy continues over California's long-awaited “Cap and Trade” program, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions back to 1990 levels in the next eight years.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenCalifornia today began its long-awaited "Cap and Trade" program designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions back to 1990 levels in the next 8 years. The State Air Resources Board says it’ll make a difference in global warming. But polluting industries say California's impact will be minimal, that energy costs will increase for all Californians and that some businesses will be driven out of the state. Today's sale of so-called "carbon credits" will be secret until next Monday, but it's already faced with challenges from business and from environmentalists. Also, an electric four-door sedan made in California is Motor Trend's Car of the Year. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, the battle over Obamacare continues.
Banner image: Gord McKenna/flickr
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3 storiesCalifornia Launches Cap and Trade Program with First Auction
Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 32 , which put California into the cap and trade business.
Read the story20 minTesla, California's Own, is Motor Trend's 'Car of the Year'
Forget the Porsche 911, the Ford Fusion and the Honda Accord. This year's Motor Trend Car of the Year Award goes for the first time to an automobile without an internal combustion engine. The choice was unanimous — and it's a car made in Silicon Valley — Elon Musk's Tesla Model S four-door sedan.
Read the story7 minStates Still Divided on Obamacare
"Obamacare," the Affordable Care Act , is the biggest expansion of America's social safety net since 1965. It still faces challenges, but the President's re-election means that repeal is less likely than ever. Meantime, the first of many deadlines for implementation comes the day after tomorrow.
Read the story24 min
