SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – A component of California’s landmark offensive against greenhouse gas emissions is not sitting well with some environmental groups.
Under the measure, companies would be able to meet the state’s strict greenhouse gas restrictions in part by purchasing offsets, or credits for carbon emission reductions generated by others.
The Sacramento Bee reports that those others could be a tree planter on California’s North Coast or an Arkansas company that destroys gaseous coolants from old refrigerators.
Some environmental groups are critical of offsets, saying they allow companies to get credit for greenhouse gas cuts that would have occurred anyway instead of cutting their own emissions further.
State officials say offsets give companies flexibility that will help them save money.
