The 2026-27 Budget: California Public Utilities Commission’s Implementation of AB 1207

Feb 10, 2026 - These free allowances are intended to protect electric consumers from significant cost increases associated with the program. To that end, utilities are required to consign most of these free allowances to auction and use the proceeds to provide rebates to consumer s, known as the “California Climate Credit. ” These rebates currently are provided to residential customers each year in April and October.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5120

Assessing California’s Climate Policies—Cap-and-Trade Reauthorization

May 7, 2025 - For example, currently, some of the allowances are allocated to utilities for free. These utilities are required to consign most of these free allowances to auction and use the resulting revenues to provide customer rebates.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5042

Assessing Early Implementation of Urban Water Use Efficiency Requirements

Jan 4, 2024 - The frequency of use of the bonus incentive, the volume of water associated with the bonus incentive, value to urban water suppliers of the bonus incentive, and any implications of the use of the bonus incentive on water use efficiency.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4823

The 2026-27 Budget: Framework for Approaching the Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Budget

Feb 10, 2026 - Moreover, the state already funds a number of other free state parks pass programs, including for lower ‑income residents who may face more barriers to access. California Air Resources Board (CARB): Zero ‑Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Incentive Program.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

The 2025-26 Budget: Natural Resources and Agriculture Discretionary Spending Proposals

Feb 18, 2025 - The California State Parks Library Pass Program provides free access to state parks through 33,000 passes that can be checked out from public library branches throughout the state. Passes can be checked out by all library card holders.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4967

Overview of New Updates to the Cap-and-Invest Program

Dec 9, 2025 - For example, under these pieces of legislation, CARB continues to have authority to set the level of the program ’s price ceiling and floor, the total number of allowances issued, and the share of allowances to sell versus provide for free to industry and utilities.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5097

The 2026-27 Budget: Proposed Zero-Emission Vehicle Incentive

Feb 24, 2026 - Additionally, APCF potentially could be used to support some activities currently being funded with GGRF, thereby freeing up those dollars to help fund other priorities. ZEV Proposal Does Not Meet High Bar for New Expenditures.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5140

The 2026-27 Budget: Cap-and-Invest Expenditure Plan

Feb 10, 2026 - For example, CARB recently released draft regulations that propose to make various changes to the program—including to the total number of allowances issued and the allocation of those allowances across various purposes (such as GGRF and free allowances to utilities and industry)—that could affect GGRF revenues.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5114

The 2025-26 Budget: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 12, 2025 - Given the risks and uncertainties surrounding state costs from recent fires, the availability of federal funding, and the state’s overall revenue condition, the Legislature may need to rely on Proposition 4 to free up General Fund or GGRF to help maintain existing high‑priority baseline programs.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4958

California’s Cap-and-Trade Program: Frequently Asked Questions

Oct 24, 2023 - Some of these allowances are auctioned, and some are given away for free to utilities, natural gas suppliers, and industrial facilities. These free allowances are intended to protect consumers from significant rate increases and prevent emissions leakage (that is, to keep companies from moving their operations outside of California to avoid the need to comply with the program).
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4811