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'OPB Politics Now': What Would Cap And Trade Really Mean For Oregon?

<p>Steam rises from the Darigold facility in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. Oregon lawmakers are proposing cap-and-trade legislation in an effort to curb emissions.</p>

Bradley W. Parks

Steam rises from the Darigold facility in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019. Oregon lawmakers are proposing cap-and-trade legislation in an effort to curb emissions.

Oregon is trying to fight climate change. But what would a proposed cap and trade rule actually do? 

And, as the legislature heads into its final days, will the complicated and politically contentious plan actually pass? 

On this week's episode of "OPB Politics Now," reporters Jeff Mapes, Dirk VanderHart and Cassandra Profita break down the last big item on state Democrats' to do list for the 2019 legislative session. Cap and trade has survived several attempts to kill or radically change the most sweeping environmental plan in Oregon in perhaps a decade or more. Now, with final votes looming, we'll take a look at what the new policy would actually do to curb carbon emissions and the mounting impact of climate change. 

Copyright 2019 Oregon Public Broadcasting

Dirk VanderHart, Cassandra Profita, Jeff Mapes