Business Leaders Call on State to Protect Market Certainty, Press Ahead on AB 32

Today, the Latin Business Association, Clean Economy Network, Small Business Majority, California Business Alliance for a Green Economy, and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group representing thousands of Calif. companies and workers released this joint statement in support of the California Air Resources Board's efforts to move forward with the market-based emissions trading component of AB 32, the state's clean energy law:

"We strongly support pushing ahead to implement AB 32 fully. Delay undermines the market signals that already have attracted investors, renewable energy companies and clean tech manufacturing to the state. If we hesitate, these companies are at risk of closing up or moving away meaning a loss of jobs. This would deal a serious blow to one of the few bright spots in California's economy.

"Regulatory uncertainty harms California's businesses and our overall economy. Business leaders already are making important decisions based on the proposed strategies in the AB 32 Scoping Plan. Moving forward with full implementation of AB 32 benefits all of us our companies, our workers and the communities in which we live. It's time to get on with it."

The California Air Resources Board meets tomorrow (Aug. 24) to consider the Functional Equivalent Document, which provides an expanded environmental analysis in accordance with a decision by a San Francisco judge in order to implement the program on schedule. CARB staff has worked closely with business to craft a program that is sensitive to business concerns, minimizes burden and maximizes flexibility.

The Latin Business Association (http://www.lbausa.com/) is a dedicated resource for Latino owned company entities and support for minority owned businesses. Clean Economy Network (http://www.cleaneconomynetwork.org/) is the national non-partisan advocacy organization for individuals who support the development of a clean economy. Small Business Majority (http://smallbusinessmajority.org/) is a national nonprofit organization focused on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses. The California Business Alliance for a Green Economy (http://www.ca-greenbusinessalliance.com/home/) is a community of businesses who believe that a healthy and prosperous future for California depends on a clean, green and efficient economy. And the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (http://svlg.org/) is organized to involve principal officers and senior managers of member companies in a cooperative effort with local, regional, state, and federal government officials to address major public policy issues affecting the economic health and quality of life in Silicon Valley.