I
guess it’s too much to ask the business-as-usual dirty energy companies
to play fair. They see the writing on the wall as states like
California take meaningful steps towards clean alternatives to burning
fossil fuels. Now it’s clear their response will be to wage a cynical
and deceptive battle that maintains the profits they earn from their
dirty ways.
The latest is Proposition 23, a California ballot measure sponsored by
two Texas oil companies (Valero and Tesoro) that aims to kill popular
climate and clean air legislation known as AB32.
The proposition is a cynical effort to fool voters in the 2010 fall
elections by appealing to concerns about difficult economic times.
Proponents falsely claim that AB32 will cost the state jobs and money.
The reality is that California’s groundbreaking climate and clean air
laws have stimulated billions of dollars of investment in renewable
energy projects and technology. And according to the Employment
Development Department, since AB32 was put in place California’s clean
jobs have grown 10 times faster than other jobs across the state. Far
from being a drag on the economy, AB32 is an economic stimulus that is
helping to California lead the country’s development of clean tech
industry.
The proposition is also deceptively worded to fool voters into thinking
it would only temporarily suspend AB32 until unemployment dips below
5.5% for four consecutive quarters. It almost sounds reasonable doesn’t
it? Until you realize that California unemployment has rarely gone to
that level for that long in the past 30 years. Don’t be fooled. There
is nothing temporary about Proposition 23, it’s a cleverly written
spike meant to kill the legislation forever.
Here’s a simple question: do you really believe two Texas oil companies
care that much about saving California’s jobs and economy? Or do you
think maybe they’ll do whatever it takes to protect an important
market, perpetuating their profit from selling dirty fossil fuels to
our state’s residents. I think I know what the anwer is–so do you.
Don’t let them get away with killing California’s clean technology
industry.
VOTE NO ON PROP 23. VOTE NO ON THE DIRTY ENERGY PROPOSITION!
Show your support here.