ARB Eyes Expanding Local Regulators' Authority In Cap & Trade Program

The California air board has agreed to consider significantly expanding the authority of local air districts to carry out major portions of the state's newly approved greenhouse gas (GHG) cap-and-trade program. While the move responds to strong pressure from local officials, it is drawing concerns from environmentalists and other stakeholders, who fear it could overly complicate and undermine the environmental integrity of the program. Critics fear that giving local air districts the authority to gather and report emissions data under...