DISQUS

Joel

A quick comment from a New Mexico advocate: Although many who have been involved in WCI are concerned with the low auction percentage in the regional framework, it is overall a historic and globally significant step forward. This agreement covers a region that would constitute one of the world's top ten economies, it includes more than twice as many emissions sources as any other (including the European Union), and it establishes market conditions for sharp reductions in emissions even though the region's population has been growing rapidly. With respect to auction vs. allowance of emissions permits, about half the emissions in the WCI come from California, whose public utilities commission announced a plan several days ago to move to 100% auction four years after startup, which is very commendable. Overall, this agreement (the details of which we won't fully know till Tuesday owing to tight info management in the various government offices) is likely to mark significant progress for a diverse region with both large energy-consuming states and large energy producers. Anyone who wants to discuss this is welcome to call me at 505 850 3489, my cell number, or email at nfarquhar@nrdc.org.. Thanks. Ned Farquhar, Natural Resources Defense Council, Albuquerque