Proposition 23: A Referendum on California's Global Warming Solutions Act
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Green Career Tip of the Week
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"The best way to predict the future is to create it." -- Peter Drucker
The 2010 election season is ramping up! In California, those who envision a more sustainable future are paying attention! Proposition 23 is on the ballet with the goal of suspending California's ground-breaking Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). If you think this newsletter is just about California...think again! This election is important to the entire green/clean/sustainable economy. For a synopsis of the situation, read today's article.
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Tip of the Week: Proposition 23: A Referendum on California's Global Warming Solutions Act
The wheels of the November election are already turning in California. Among people committed to a green/clean/sustainable economy, Proposition 23, slated to suspend the state's groundbreaking Global Warming Solutions Act AB 32, is the talk of the town.
Whether you live in California or not, the election results on this particular proposition are likely to be felt throughout the nation and perhaps the world.
To understand Proposition 23...you must first understand Assembly Bill (AB) 32.
AB 32: Global Warming Solutions Act
In 2006 a groundbreaking Global Warming Solutions Act was passed in California with bipartisan support. Assembly Bill 32 impacts a wide range of greenhouse gas emitters including agriculture, energy, industry, oil refineries, and transportation.
The bill requires companies to report their greenhouse gases and lower the state's carbon emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. To achieve this aggressive goal, California's Air Resources Board has implemented several programs to address issues such as tailpipe emissions, fuel standards, building energy efficiency standards and a renewable energy standard of 33% by 2020. The regulation of greenhouse gas emissions will begin rolling out in 2012 requiring large polluters to reduce their emissions or pay for carbon allowances.
Birth of Clean Tech
The passing of this law was one of the catalysts that lead to industrial innovations that we now referred to as clean tech. Industries that are creating innovations to eliminate emissions are fueling our economy.
Bright Spot in the California Economy
In addition to having a positive impact on the quality of air and the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted in California, the clean tech companies are also a source of hundreds of thousands of green jobs in an otherwise bleak economy.
You can see daily updates about ways AB 32 is stimulating green/clean tech businesses in California at California Bright Spot.
In addition, venture capital firms continue to invest billions of dollars in clean tech companies at record rates. California companies are at the cutting edge and are, therefore, receiving a sizeable proportion of these funds.
Proposition 23
Enter two Texas-based oil companies with refineries in California that funded a signature drive to get Proposition 23 on the November ballot.
Proposition Title: Suspends Air Pollution Control Laws Requiring Major Polluters to Report and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions That Cause Global Warming Until Unemployment Drops Below Specified Level for Full Year. Initiative Statute.
Official summary: Suspends State laws requiring reduced greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, until California's unemployment rate drops to [4.8% or 5.5%] or less for four consecutive quarters. Requires State to abandon implementation of comprehensive greenhouse-gas-reduction program that includes increased renewable energy and cleaner fuel requirements, and mandatory emission reporting and fee requirements for major polluters such as power plants and oil refineries, until suspension is lifted.
The sponsors are referring to the proposition as the "California Jobs Initiative."
Reality Checks
Reality check #1: Valero and Tesora, the companies that got Proposition 23 on the ballot, are two of the dirtiest companies in California. As a result, unless they cut their emissions, they will be required to pay for their carbon emissions beginning in 2012 based on the law called AB 32.
Reality check #2: California's unemployment rate has dropped to 5.5 for more than four consecutive quarters only 3 times since 1970...so if Proposition 23 passes, AB 32 won't just be suspended, it will die.
Reality Check #3: AB 32 isn't costing California jobs...it's creating jobs! It's creating new industries. It's creating new businesses. If AB 32 is suspended, jobs will be cut! Calling this Proposition the "California Jobs Initiative" is misleading.
If Proposition 23 Passes: The Ripple Effects Would Be Devastating
Within California
- Poorer air quality and more health issues
- Fewer jobs and clean tech businesses
- Less clean tech investment will come to California
- Increased dependence on foreign and carbon-based oil
- Increased energy costs
- And the list goes on and on
Beyond California
- If the clean tech industry in California stumbles or collapses, it's likely this will signal a no-confidence vote on clean energy/clean tech/green issues throughout the United States and perhaps beyond. The long term ramifications will not be good for our economy or the planet.
According to the research by the No on Prop 23 group, this proposition "is a deceptive measure that will kill more than $10 billion of clean tech investment, 500,000 jobs, and California's transition to a clean energy economy."
Copyright © 2010 Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc.
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