Assembly Bill 32, California’s Global Warming Solutions Act, presents an historic opportunity with global implications. California can show how to correct the problems inherent in the European Trading System for cap and trade.

Thanks to Campaign Advisor Peter Barnes and Co-founder Mike Sandler, since December 2005 we have worked intently to ensure a positive outcome of AB32’s implementation process.

Between January and June 2008 the window of opportunity will be open to influence the design of California’s market-based solutions. During these six months the California Air Resources Board will solicit input on the development of a Scoping Plan which will serve as the roadmap for achieving the reduction goals outlined broadly in AB32.

The Campaign hired Rafael Aguilera of the Verde Group to work in Sacramento from January to June 2008, educating policymakers about the importance of inclusion of all carbon in the economy, selling permits rather than giving them away, recycling permit revenue to individuals, and allowing no offsets or safety valves.

Rafael Aguilera served as a Latino Caucus Intern for Assembly Majority Floor Leader Marco Antonio Firebaugh, a junior policy committee consultant for the Senate Environmental Quality Committee under the chairmanship of Senator Byron Sher, an environmental consultant for Assemblymember Lori Saldana, and a climate policy analyst for Environmental Defense. Rafael was a key member of the legislative team that passed AB 32 in 2006.