Jumping ahead of state agencies, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, authorized a fee on stationary industries with greenhouse gas emissions. The May 21 decision levies 4.4 cents per metric ton of carbon. The money is expected to be used for developing an emissions inventory, as well as other environmental programs, according to the district. The decision followed up a June 2005 plan to integrate climate protection programs into Bay area pollution programs. The fees on some of the biggest emitters, like refineries, would run between $200,000 and $100,000/year. Power plants in the district could pay between $17,000 and $90,000/year. The fees are expected to reap $1.1 million for the district, according to district data.
