The Western Climate Initiative (WCI) is a collaboration of seven US states and four Canadian provinces working to build the largest regional carbon cap and trade system in North America. Sightline's researchers have been heavily involved in the WCI process to ensure that we create a fair, efficient, and effective climate policy. We're investigating issues from 100% auctioned permits to including transportation fuels in a carbon cap. Find out more at the Western Climate Initiative website.

Sightline researchers Clark Williams-Derry and Eric de Place are leading regional experts and are available for media interviews and questions. For general questions, contact Eric Hess. On this page are comments, analyses, and commentary related to the Western Climate Initiative process.

Also see Sightline's general climate policy work.

Comments, Analyses, and Commentary on the Western Climate Initiative

Commentary , 8/08
Daily Score Series: Inside WCI
Blog series on Eric de Place's in-depth look at WCI's 2008 draft proposal.

Analysis, 12/08
Comments on WCI's Economic Modeling
Sightline's comments on WCI's economic modeling process  (pdf, 7 pages).

Analysis, 8/08
Comments on WCI's Draft Design of the Regional Cap and Trade Program
Sightline looks at issues of scope, point of regulation, and threshold in WCI (pdf, 9 pages).

Analysis, 5/08
Comments on the Western Climate Initiative's Economic Analysis -- Summary
Sightline looks at WCI's model for economic implications of climate policy options (pdf, 2 pages).

Analysis, 5/08
Comments on the Western Climate Initiative's Economic Analysis Model
Sightline looks at WCI's model for economic implications of climate policy options (pdf, 8 pages).

Analysis, 4/08
Comments on The Western Climate Initiative’s Allocation Draft Design Recommendations
Sightline explains why WCI should place all permits in a public auction (pdf, 13 pages).

Analysis, 3/08
Comments on the WCI's Draft Program Scope Recommendations
Sightline's comments on the issue of scope in WCI.  (pdf, 13 pages).

Analysis, 2/08
Comments on WCI's Scope Subcommittee: Summary of Major Design Options
Sightline's comments on why transportation emissions should be considered in WCI's scope  (pdf, 21 pages).

Analysis, 2/08
Why Free Allocation of Carbon Allowances Means Windfall Profits for Energy Companies
Sightline looks at the issue of allocations and why free allocation is a bad deal for consumers (pdf, 7 pages).

Memorandum, 2/08
Comments on WCI Cap and Trade Options (pdf, 13 pages)
Sightline's take on many issues under consideration for a western states cap-and-trade program.

Analysis, 11/07
Comments on WCI Design Questions for Stakeholder Review and Comment
Sightline questions of design in the WCI process (pdf, 18 pages).