California, Washington State, and Quebec have signed an agreement to link their Cap-and-Invest programs into a unified carbon market. The goal is to cut climate pollution faster and drive more investment in affordable clean energy across the three jurisdictions. The Environmental Defense Fund, which announced the news, says the partnership fills a leadership gap left by federal inaction on climate policy. The linked market is expected to launch next year, following rulemaking work by the participating states and province. Backers argue that regional cooperation is essential because climate change does not respect borders. The move builds on California's existing carbon market partnership with Quebec, which has been operating for years. Washington's entry expands the market's reach and potential impact on emissions reductions.
