The state Legislature and Governor are actively discussing proposals to reauthorize the Cap-and-Trade program and reform the market and expenditure program. SPUR believes that Cap-and-Trade is one of California’s most effective tools for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and providing critical funding for sustainable transportation and transit-oriented affordable housing. This letter expresses support for reauthorizing the program and recommends reforms to the public transit funding programs under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) umbrella. We urge the state to add flexibility so that there is more funding to meet the diversity of transit funding needs across the state, and greater predictability in operating funding from year to year, as well as specific ways to achieve those goals.

California and the Bay Area are using zero-emission appliance rules, building codes, and climate action plans to move the heating appliance market and consumers toward a gas-free future for buildings. But fragmented and outdated permitting systems are posing a barrier to adoption of electric appliances and delaying their health and climate benefits. SPUR offers five recommendations to streamline and standardize permits to improve safety, lower costs, reduce burdens on contractors and consumers, and create a fairer, more efficient system.