California's Climate Crusade

About

In a rare display of bipartisanship, California governor Jerry Brown and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sat side by side recently praising the state’s efforts to move the economy away from fossil fuels. Schwarzenegger said Washington DC should learn from California, where several Republicans joined with Brown and Democrats to extend the state’s landmark climate law.

Some environmentalists said the law extending California’s cap and trade system to 2030 is a sellout to the oil industry and it shortchanges disadvantaged communities that breathe the dirtiest air. Silicon Valley companies supported the move as did many large environmental groups. How do California’s climate moves play into national politics and policy? Will climate and energy play a meaningful role in the upcoming midterm elections? Will companies make energy policy more of a priority?