Climate 411

States in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative take an important step forward — and there’s room to go further

By Peter Della-Rocca and Pam Kiely / Published: July 16, 2025

On July 1, the ten states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) concluded their Third Program Review and announced updates that strengthen the regional cap on climate pollution, beginning in 2027. These changes also introduce new measures to protect energy affordability and reaffirm the program’s commitment to cutting pollution, promoting clean energy and supporting local communities. 

As Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) analysis shows, the case for program improvements is well supported — delivering clean electricity and critical climate and health benefits while ensuring consumer affordability. And there’s still room to do even more.

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The Science Is Clear on the Dangers of Planet-Heating Pollution

By Lisa Dilling / Published: July 11, 2025

This post was co-authored by EDF Climate Scientist Fiona Lo

The Trump EPA is now reconsidering, and reportedly intends to reverse, the Endangerment Finding – the science-based determination that climate pollution harms public health and welfare. That’s in spite of mountains of scientific evidence confirming that climate pollution is driving extreme weather events and putting people at risk.

The scientific evidence was clear that climate pollution endangers public health and welfare when EPA issued the Endangerment Finding in 2009 – but it is even clearer now:

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Cap-and-invest program continues to drive down climate pollution and raise investments in Washington state

By Caroline Jones / Published: June 11, 2025

Results were released today for Washington’s second cap-and-invest auction of the year, administered last Wednesday by the Department of Ecology (Ecology). During the auction, participating entities submitted their bids for allowances. Under the Climate Commitment Act — Washington’s landmark climate law that sets a binding, declining limit on pollution — major emitters in Washington are required to hold one allowance for every ton of greenhouse gas they emit, with the total number of allowances decreasing each year. This system requires Washington’s polluters to reduce their emissions in line with the state’s climate targets, as fewer allowances become available annually.

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Despite lower revenue due to program uncertainty, a stronger, long-term Cap and Trade promises to strengthen investments in California

By Caroline Jones and Katelyn Roedner Sutter / Published: May 29, 2025

Results were released today for California’s second cap-and-trade auction of the year, and the first auction since Governor Newsom proposed extending California’s cap-and-trade program through 2045 as part of his May budget proposal. As California lawmakers consider the future of the cap-and-trade program, they face a pivotal opportunity to deliver real and lasting benefits to communities across the state. At stake is not only California’s continued leadership on climate, but also the potential to unlock major economic and affordability gains for Californians.

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As California moves closer to authorizing a West-wide electricity market, new analysis shows how the market will benefit other Western states

By Michael Colvin and Alex DeGolia / Published: May 23, 2025

This is the second in a blog series on the opportunities presented by the Pathways Initiative. Check back for additional publications in the series coming soon. 

An expanded regional electricity market is coming into focus in the West. A bill is currently moving through the California legislature that will enable the state to join a West-wide electricity market operated by a regional organization and overseen by an independent governing board — a move that will unleash California’s clean electricity potential and benefit the entire West. New analysis underscores how this market will deliver cleaner, cheaper and more reliable electricity to its participants.

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Despite $1 billion budgeted for clean energy, New York’s delayed cap-and-invest rollout is costing residents billions more in savings

By Kate Courtin / Published: May 16, 2025

Last week, New York approved its 2025 budget, which includes $1 billion to invest in clean energy, energy efficiency and other programs that will reduce pollution and save New Yorkers money. Unfortunately, the benefits of these investments are overshadowed by the delayed launch of New York’s cap-and-invest program, which would provide billions more in savings to New Yorkers every year.  

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