NRDC Natural Resources Defense Council : California’s Cap and Invest Strategy Stands Strong in Court

SACRAMENTO - California's Third District Court of Appeal held oral arguments today on a legal challenge to the state's cap-and-trade program, which sets declining limits on dangerous carbon pollution in the world's fifth-largest economy. Industry groups allege that collecting proceeds from the sale of emissions allowances at the program's quarterly auctions is unlawful.

Alex Jackson, legal director of the California Climate Project at the Natural Resources Defense Council, a party to the case, attended the court hearing and made this comment:
'The cap-and-trade program had a very good day. While we don't know how the court will rule, there is no doubt that holding polluters accountable and investing in clean energy will remain an essential part of California's leadership against climate change. '

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Livingston, Montana, and Beijing. Visit us at http://www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.