Many concerned citizens showed up at the Del Mar city council meeting yesterday, including Aaron Contorer, Lane Sharman, Jack Genauer and Peter Zahn, chairman of the board of the Green Chamber to speak against the oil companies’ initiative to delay AB 32. After hearing the speakers and considering the environmental and business issues, the council decided to oppose prop 23 and support AB 32
What does a YES or NO mean?
Basically, proposition 23 will delay AB 32, that addresses global warming, for a very long time, if not permanently.
A YES vote on proposition 23 means that certain existing and proposed regulations authorized under state law (such as Assembly Bill 32) to address global warming would be suspended. These regulations would remain suspended until the state unemployment rate drops to 5.5 percent or lower for four consecutive quarters. During the suspension period, state agencies are prohibited from proposing or adopting new regulations, or enforcing previously adopted regulations, that would implement AB 32.
A NO vote on this measure means that the state could continue to implement the measures authorized under Assembly Bill 32 to address global warming.
AB 32- some background
In 2006, the state enacted the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, commonly referred to as Assembly Bill 32. This legislation established the target of reducing the state’s emissions of GHGs by 2020 to the level that emissions were at in 1990. It is estimated that achieving this target would result in about a 30 percent reduction in GHGs in 2020 from where their level would otherwise be in the absence of AB 32.
Assembly Bill 32 requires the state Air Resources Board (ARB) to adopt rules and regulations to achieve this reduction. The law also directs ARB, in developing these rules and regulations, to take advantage of opportunities to improve air quality, thereby creating public health benefits from the state’s GHG emission reduction activities.
Who is behind proposition 23?
The Passage would effectively repeal AB 32- the claim that it’s simply a suspension is deceptive, since unemployment rates were at that arbitrarily low point only 3 times in last 3 decades. In addition, the passage would repeal landmark clean energy and air pollution control standards.
The risk is that the proposition would result in more air pollution and threaten public health. Clean energy businesses will suffer from the proposition as well.
Apparently, some Texas oil companies are trying so hard to overturn the bill, that they are spending millions of dollars in California to roll back AB 32. The efforts to turn over AB 32 are focusing on the claims that the global warming solution act will increase unemployment and cost more money each year for businesses and households.
Contrary to those claims, AB 32 is expected to boost the local economy and promote new jobs, as well as preserve California’s natural resources. Furthermore, a study that claimed AB 32 will regulate small businesses and cost them 46,691$ a year was flawed and discredited, mainly because the global warming solution act does not regulate small businesses.
Another argument is that AB 32 will make California less competitive and will drive businesses out of the state. But in reality, these kinds of policies are making California a leader in green jobs and environmental investments. Actually, more green businesses open in California than in any other state.
More south California cities are opposing prop 23
The city of Solana beach passed a resolution in May 2010 to support the continued implementation of AB 32 as scheduled.
The city council of Chula Vista will be meeting this afternoon (Tuesday) to debate the issue, hopefully resulting with the same decision as Solana Beach and Del Mar.
Although the Green Chamber of San Diego County is not a political organization, we do feel we should have a say and take a position in environmental political issues such as this, making a change and helping the environment.
To support AB 32 You might consider joining this Google group with information regarding proposition 23, and include this link on your website.
