California extends cap-and-trade program to 2030

Gov. Jerry Brown, center, flanked by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, speaks of the passage of a pair of climate change measures, Monday, July 17, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

Take Two examines what cap-and-trade in California means for our day-to-day in California and how this fits into the state's environmental goals.

It took quite a bit of wrangling but last night, republicans joined forces with democrats to extend the state's cap-and-trade program to 2030.

California's cap-and-trade program is the only one of its kind in the country and its continuation was key in Brown's plan to reach the state's environmental goals. Not to mention, maintaining California's place a pioneer in climate policy both nationally and abroad.

To help us understand what this means for our day-to-day in California and how this fits into the state's environmental goals, Take Two's A Martinez spoke with KPCC's environment reporter Emily Guerin.

There was a lot of back and forth between the governor and state lawmakers to get the bill through the legislature. Some democrats said the bill didn't go far enough while to reign in polluters. As Guerin explained, environmental justice organizations generally don't favor cap-and-trade as a solution because it "creates a market for pollution" instead of "reducing pollution at the source".

Guerin added that some republicans also voted in favor – 1 in the state senate and 7 in the assembly – brought on board through negotiations such as "tax breaks for agricultural constituents".

Take Two examines what cap-and-trade in California means for our day-to-day in California and how this fits into the state's environmental goals.

To hear the full interview – including how everyday Californians may be affected – click on the blue media player above.