The Governor’s proposed 2016-17 budget, released earlier this month, proposes a $3.1 billion allocation of cap and trade program proceeds. This allocation is divided into two categories: continuous appropriation, and one-time appropriation. As summarized by the League of California Cities in a great summary of cap and trade, funding for specific program areas are proposed across these two categories:
Continuous Appropriation (a proposed 60% of annual cap and trade proceeds):
- $500 million for High Speed Rail Projects
- $400 million for the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program
- $200 million for Transit and Intercity Rail Projects
- $100 million for Low Carbon Transit Operations
One-time Appropriation (the remaining 40%, plus the balance left of 2015-16 proceeds):
- $500 million for the Air Resources Board’s Low Carbon Transportation Program
- $400 million for Transit and Intercity Rail Capital program**;
- $150 million for CAL FIRE to support forest health programs that reduce GHG emissions;
- $100 million for the Department of Transportation to administer the Low Carbon Road Program**;
- $100 million for the Strategic Growth Council to administer the Transformational Climate Communities Program**;
- $100 million for the Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery to provide financial incentives for capital investments that expand waste management infrastructure**;
- $75 million for the Department of Community Services and Development for energy efficiency upgrades and weatherization;
- $60 million for the Energy Commission for water and energy technology programs and appliance rebates;
- $60 million for UC and CSU for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects;
- $40 million for the Air Resources Control Board for black carbon woodsmoke;
- $30 million for the Department of General Services to implement Executive Order B‑18‑12 (requiring state agency greenhouse gas reductions);
- $30 million for the Department of Food and Agriculture for water and energy efficiency;
- $30 million for CAL FIRE to Urban Forestry programs;
- $25 million for the Energy Commission for Biofuel Facility Investments;
- $20 million for the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank to leverage private investment for public building energy improvements;
- $20 million for the Natural Resources Agency for urban greening projects;
- $20 million for the Air Resources Control Board refrigerants;
- $15 million for the Conservation Corps for Energy Corps for public building audits and water/energy efficiency installs.
Programs marked with asterisks have a stated priority to serve disadvantaged communities. The current list of Disadvantaged Communities (identified by Cal Enviro Screen) is available in Excel on CalEPA’s website, here.