SACRAMENTO - Air Resources Board Chairman released the following statement in response to today’s release of results from the first cap-and-trade allowance auction held by the Canadian Province of Quebec:

"We are pleased that the first cap-and-trade auction of Quebec allowances was completed successfully,” said Chairman Mary D. Nichols.  “It reflects the hard work Quebec invested in developing a rigorous cap-and-trade program, and the careful construction of an effective auction platform.  California and Quebec can now move forward to fully link our programs in the new year, and work together to show our respective nations, and the world, how states and provinces can work together to reduce greenhouse gases and fight climate change."

California and Quebec are scheduled to link their cap-and-trade programs Jan 1, 2014. A joint auction is expected later in the year.