Near Zero
Expert solutions for climate change mitigation
We provide credible, impartial, and actionable assessment
with the goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to near zero
We inform decisions by combining legal, policy, and technical analysis
Reports
Tracking banking in the Western Climate Initiative cap-and-trade program
We present methods for tracking observed banking behavior on both an annual and multi-year compliance period basis in the Western Climate Initiative cap-and-trade program.
GHG Accounting in the Power Source Disclosure Program: 2019 Comments
Summary Near Zero submitted a comment letter to the California Energy Commission on its AB 1110 Implementation Rulemaking for the Power Source Disclosure Program. We appreciate the effort the Commission has put into updating the PSD Program to account for the...
GHG Accounting in the Power Source Disclosure Program
Near Zero comments on the California Energy Commission’s proposal for greenhouse gas accounting by retail electricity suppliers in the Power Source Disclosure Program.
California’s Cap-and-Trade Reforms: October 2018 Comment Letter
Near Zero comments on the serious risk that excess allowances in the cap-and-trade program will frustrate its ability to deliver the emission reductions called for in the 2017 Scoping Plan, a potential loophole in the proposed definition of “direct environmental benefits” for carbon offsets, and the need to work toward a science-based policy strategy.
An open-source model of supply and demand in the Western Climate Initiative cap-and-trade program
Near Zero's open-source model of the Western Climate Initiative cap-and-trade program is intended to help project, analyze, and track market outcomes. It allows users to explore the future market supply and demand balance through 2030, based on users' assumptions...
Tracking banking in the Western Climate Initiative cap-and-trade program
We present a method for tracking the private bank of compliance instruments, showing the extent to which allowance overallocation is manifesting
Media
“Cap and Trade Is Supposed to Solve Climate Change, but Oil and Gas Company Emissions Are Up,” ProPublica
“There’s no question a well-designed regulation on oil and gas can have an effect,” said Danny Cullenward, a Stanford researcher and policy director at Near Zero, a climate policy think tank. “And that was traded away for a weak cap-and-trade program.” Covering California’s cap-and-trade program, Lisa Song of ProPublica spoke with Near Zero’s Danny Cullenward.
“California may be a climate leader, but it could be a century behind on its carbon goals: study,” Utility Dive
Covering California’s greenhouse gas emissions trends, Herman K. Trabish of Utility Dive spoke with Near Zero’s Danny Cullenward.
“Will fed’s lawsuit targeting California’s key climate change policy cost polluters and taxpayers?” CalMatters
Covering the federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s cap-and-trade program, Rachel Becker of the MIT Technology Review spoke with Near Zero’s Danny Cullenward.
“Trump continues his all-out assaults on California and climate action,” MIT Technology Review
Covering the federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s cap-and-trade program, James Temple of the MIT Technology Review spoke with Near Zero’s Danny Cullenward.
“California’s planet-warming emissions declined in 2017, even as its biggest pollution source keeps rising,” Los Angeles Times
Covering the latest data on California’s economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions, Tony Barboza of the Los Angeles Times spoke with Near Zero’s Danny Cullenward.
“SCP gets graded based on original goals set by board,” Sonoma West
In an article on Sonoma Clean Power, Mary Fricker of Sonoma West Times & News spoke with Near Zero’s Danny Cullenward.
“California’s emissions deal with automakers dodges Trump EPA plan to gut rules,” CalMatters
Covering California’s agreement with four major carmakers on tailpipe emissions standards, Rachel Becker of CalMatters spoke with Near Zero’s Danny Cullenward.
“Newsom Catches Heat for Using Climate Funds on Drinking Water Plan,” KQED
In an article on the use of cap-and-trade revenues to pay for clean drinking water, Kevin Stark of KQED spoke with Near Zero’s Danny Cullenward.
“Why fighting for clean water with climate change money worries some California lawmakers,” CalMatters
In an article on the use of cap-and-trade revenues to pay for clean drinking water, Rachel Becker of CalMatters spoke with Near Zero’s Danny Cullenward.
Blog
Alumni Op-Ed: DWP is about to commit Los Angeles to a dirty natural gas power plant it doesn’t want or need
Near Zero alumnus Josh Lappen’s op-ed, “DWP is about to commit Los Angeles to a dirty natural gas power plant it doesn’t want or need,” was published by the LA Times on August 25, 2019.
The Q2 2019 WCI auction: Higher prices, similar market dynamics
Results from the May 2019 WCI auction are now available. Both current and advance auctions sold out in full, at prices slightly higher than in recent auctions. The current auction settled at its highest price ever, $17.45, noticeably higher than the...
Oversight hearing: California’s Climate Change Policies: Will the State Achieve the SB 32 Target?
In his capacity as the Senate appointee to the state’s Independent Emissions Market Advisory Committee, Near Zero’s Danny Cullenward testified before a California Senate Environmental Quality Committee hearing.
credit for header photo: Krystle Mikaere