Cap and trade bills approved by CA state legislature receiving mixed reviews

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- California Governor Jerry Brown convinced the legislature to extend the states cap and trade laws for a decade, and do it by a two thirds majority, meaning this is in effect a legal tax on carbon air pollution. It's not clear how much it will cost consumers, or how much it will clear the air. Leaving even clean air advocates wondering.

"It was a little vague and I think within our coalition there were a lot of organizations opposed to the bill because it was very vague," said Dolores Weller, Valley Air Quality Coalition.

Weller said there are some troubling aspects to the deal, that's supposed to reduce greenhouse gas air pollution.

"We do know there are some giveaways for the big oil industries, so we are concerned about that. We are also concerned about tax breaks for some of the big polluters, including bio mass facilities, which are operating in the San Joaquin Valley."

Many state lawmakers are concerned the legislation will boost the cost of gasoline. But Republican Devon Mathis of Tulare voted for the measure-- noting cap and trade law has already hiked gas prices.

"We already have those costs, people need to wake up and realize the reality in that these things are already there and that the members who voted on this last night, did this in an effort to make, as I said last night, a system that sucks a little bit less."

The California Farm Bureau, and many Valley farm endorsed the legislation.

Manuel Cunha of the Nisei Farmers League said it will help farmers buy newer less polluting equipment.

"You are talking about $150-million to 200-million a year we need to replace tractors, harvesters, trucks, and even some buses."

Cap and trade could also mean nearly 500-million a year to help finance the high-speed rail project, because electric trains reduce air pollution.