On October 8, 2015 New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his state will “explore the possibility” of linking the Northeast’s carbon cap-and-trade system with California’s, envisioning a “North American market” where emissions allowances are bought and sold across the United States as well as in Canada according to an October 9, 2015 report from E&E Publishing.

During a speech at Columbia University, Cuomo called carbon markets “a powerful tool for reducing the pollution that is contributing to climate change,” but added, “Small regional coalitions are not enough.”

In a release made public after the remarks, the governor’s office added that the administration will pursue a linkage between the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cap-and-trade system that involves eight other Northeastern states, and California’s carbon market, which is also linked to the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario.

“Connecting these markets would be more cost-effective and stable, thereby supporting clean energy and driving international carbon emission reductions,” the release stated. “New York State will also engage other states and provinces to build a broader carbon market and further drive an international discussion that encourages government action on carbon emissions.”

Representatives for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the California Air Resources Board, which administers the state’s cap-and-trade system, provided no additional details on the potential linkage. It remains unclear if the two systems are actively discussing the idea.

“We are committed to working with others to expand the number of jurisdictions that put a price on carbon,” a spokesman for the California Air Resources Board said in a statement.

What this means to you
New York Governor Cuomo is “exploring the possibility” of linking the Northeast’s cap-and-trade system with that of California (which also includes Ontario and Quebec). He envisions a North American market where emissions allowances are bought and sold across the United States as well as in Canada.

MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH to learn more about emission controls for your RICE engines.