Results were released today for the third auction of the year in the California-Quebec cap-and-trade market. This auction delivered slightly stronger results over the May auction, with all current allowances sold and settlement prices rising above the price floor. This bump in market demand potentially suggests renewed market confidence, though this confidence could be temporary if the Legislature doesn’t act urgently to reauthorize the program.
This blog was supported by Julia Young, an Andlinger fellow from Princeton University. This is the third in a blog series on the opportunities presented by the Pathways Initiative, focused on California.
California’s legislature is winding down to the last days of its session. A top priority should be finding ways to save families money on their utility bills without compromising the state’s clean electricity goals. A well-designed western electricity market does just that, according to a new analysis supported by EDF.
The difference between lawmakers getting the details right or wrong in Senate Bill 540 is significant. Getting it wrong jeopardizes the future of a unified western electricity market, costing Californians $350 million dollars a year. This affirms prior research about the need to get the details right since that would enable Californians to save more than a billion dollars each year in energy costs by developing a unified western market.
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.
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.
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.
Written Q&A with Tepfirah Rushdan, Director of the Detroit Office of Sustainability, on the city’s solar neighborhoods project.
Mayor Mike Duggan and other city officials share information about the selected solar neighborhoods with community members during a January 2025 press conference.
Detroit is modeling how to co-create clean energy solutions with communities by combining urban revitalization efforts with sustainability goals. The Motor City’s climate goals are ambitious: by 2034, Detroit aims to power 100% of its municipal buildings with clean energy and source 50% of its electricity from clean sources in the next three years. Along the way, the city is advancing a range of co-benefits, including improved public health, more energy efficiency and affordability, and quality jobs and opportunities.
As part of this strategy, Detroit‘s Office of Sustainability and Department of Neighborhoods are teaming up to implement the city’s Neighborhood Solar Initiative, which will build solar arrays on vacant land surrounded by communities that benefit from the repurposed space. Five neighborhoods were selected based on resident interest, and a total of 167 acres of land are being fitted with solar fields, raised gardening beds and other landscaping enhancements. Spearheaded by Mayor Mike Duggan and informed by input from thousands of Detroiters, the effort is one of the first steps to achieving the city’s larger climate goals. By providing clean energy and engaging residents and local nonprofits, Solar Neighborhoods will make new use of vacant areas and offer money-saving energy efficiency upgrades for surrounding homes.
Tepfirah Rushdan, Director of the Office of Sustainability since 2024.
I spoke with Tepfirah Rushdan, Detroit’s Director of Sustainability, to learn more about the city’s Solar Neighborhoods, how communities have been involved during every step of the process and her advice for other local leaders looking to build more sustainable futures for their cities. Read More
