Presidio Graduate School Research Faculty John Katovich and Interim Dean of the Faculty Edward Quevedo Selected to Lead the Cap and Trade Market Monitor Training Program for the California Air Resources Board (CARB)

Presidio Graduate School is excited to announce that faculty members John Katovich and Ed Quevedo, through the consultancy Cutting Edge Capital (CEC), have been selected to lead the Cap and Trade Market Monitor Training program for the California Air Resources Board (CARB). In addition to Katovich and Quevedo, several Presidio degree candidates will also participate in the project. Presidio and CEC are particularly excited because this is entirely new ground. They will be helping create a carbon cap and trade model that can replicated across the nation and potentially, around the world.

California’s cap and trade market incentives are the crucial element that will enable the state to meet its aggressive AB32 mandated greenhouse gas emission target. A cap and trade system sets limits on greenhouse gases and creates market incentives to encourage major polluters such as oil refineries, electricity generators and major industrial enterprise to reduce emissions.

Commencing immediately, the CEC team will begin its work with CARB, led by Katovich and Quevedo, and will include Presidio MPA Adjunct Faculty Kristin York, Presidio MBA alumna Kim Morris, and Presidio Graduate Teaching Assistant Sarah Isabel Parriott, supported by several current Presidio students. They will deliver technical market-based and regulatory advisory services to CARB. CEC will assist the CARB in fulfilling the directives contained in ARB Board Resolution 10-42, and support AB32 goals along with the general objectives of the Western Climate Initiative. The team will develop a sound proof-of-concept that emulates conventional market systems for the new carbon trading system.

California’s cap and trade system is designed to create an efficient allocation of emissions allowances through auctioning, with transparent system oversight and minimal disruption to the power markets. Training will be focused on compliance and regulatory issues, fraud detection and marketing monitoring practices to support the administration of the upcoming California cap and trade program. The team is currently scoping the design of a multiple day training program, possibly to be held at Presidio’s administration building, in anticipation of delivery prior to the August 15, 2012 targeted launch date for the auction.

Stay tuned for future announcements about this exciting initiative.