Number: RS20891
Title: Air Quality and Emissions Trading: A Primer
Authors: David M. Bearden, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: Emissions trading is a market-based mechanism used to lower the costs of complying with air quality regulations. It allows sources facing high pollution control costs to meet their emission limits by purchasing excess reductions from other sources that can afford to lower their emissions further than federal or state regulations require. This report serves as a primer on the concept of emissions trading.
Pages: 6
Date: Updated April 16, 2001