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

Oct 24, 2023 - In 2014, CARB linked the state ’s program with the Canadian province of Quebec ’s smaller carbon market. California ’s carbon market was also linked with Ontario ’s market from 2017 to 2018, before that province ’s cap-and-trade program shuttered.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4811

The 2022-23 Budget: Fuel Price and Other Fiscal Relief Options

May 12, 2022 - Provide free transit services. a a Included in Governor ’s proposed package of actions. b Governor proposed deferring scheduled inflation increases to gasoline and diesel excise tax rates in 2022 ‑23.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4597

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

Feb 10, 2026 - Additionally, CARB still is considering linking California’s cap‑and‑invest program with the program in Washington state. Such a linkage could affect allowance prices in both states as they come into alignment.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5114

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

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

Feb 10, 2026 - The budget proposes $70  million in both 2026 ‑27 and 2027 ‑28 —$20  million from the Lead ‑Acid Battery Cleanup Fund and $50  million from the General Fund as a loan to the Toxic Substances Control Account (TSCA) —to support DTSC in cleaning up additional residential properties impacted by lead ‑contaminated soil linked to the former Exide facility in the City of Vernon.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5116

The 2025-26 Budget: Proposition 4 Spending Plan

Feb 12, 2025 - However, the proposal does not fully describe the links between those goals and individual spending decisions. For  example, the proposal does not set a goal for how many additional acre ‑feet of water will be recycled because of Proposition  4 investments.
https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4958

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