The U.S. Midterm Election's Impact on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

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The results of the upcoming United States midterm elections on 08 November may pose significant implications for the future of U.S. carbon markets. Republican candidates have questioned the efficacy of a carbon market, claiming the higher operational costs for utilities will be transferred down to higher costs for end consumers. Leveraging economic concerns, political opposition to US carbon markets has gained momentum in the midterm elections, leaving the gubernatorial elections with the ability to shape the future of the role carbon markets will play in the country’s climate change mitigation strategies. The U.S. has two compliance carbon markets, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the